Jamille Matt: Walsall striker forgets frustration with FA Cup winner
- Published
Jamille Matt's second-round replay strike was his sixth in the FA Cup - and all have come in winning teams
Walsall striker Jamille Matt admits he is "not the easiest to deal with" when he is not in the team.
And the 34-year-old target man has certainly been more out than in since signing for the Saddlers in January.
But his first start in two months, and only his fourth of the season, helped Walsall beat beat non-league Alfreton.
"To play the full 90 minutes, having not played for some time, is testament to him and the work that he puts in day in, day out," said boss Mat Sadler.
"Overall he was fantastic. And the goal topped off a very good performance. It will do him the world of good.
"But I was delighted with Jamille in both boxes. He must have headed 10 balls in our box."
Matt's sixth FA Cup goal did what all the previous five have done - helped earn a place in the next round, in this case putting out National League North Alfreton to book a third-round date with Championship high-fliers Southampton at St Mary's on 6 January.
Last season's injury-hit January transfer window signing from Forest Green scored only his third goal for the club, his second at Bescot Stadium, and his first of the season - and it came early, after only six minutes.
"It's the best thing for any striker getting on the scoresheet early," Matt told BBC Radio WM.
"It settles you down and it settles the team down, more importantly. But, although I got the goal, the most important thing was just getting through to the next round.
"I'm the most frustrated player when I'm not playing. I've played 45 to 50 games for the last eight or so seasons, so when I'm not playing, I'm very frustrated.
Jamille Matt now has a career tally of 123 league and cup goals for Kidderminster Harriers, Fleetwood, Stevenage, Plymouth, Blackpool, Grimsby, Newport, Fleetwood and Walsall
"It's a team game and I've got a role to play, if called upon, and making a healthy contribution is always good. I'm sure my legs look so refreshed from not playing.
"But the gaffer has to pick the team, which is a tough task, with the amount of players and the amount of quality we've got. And he has been brilliant with me as I'm not the easiest to deal with when I'm not playing.
"Sometimes we have disagreements, but it's open disagreements. We still get along and remain in dialogue - and it's always from a place of respect."
It is mutual respect too.
"Jamille is someone who is revered by many in this division for everything that he has done and everything that he stands for," said Sadler.
"He continues to show that for me in what he does and the hard work that he puts in."
Before that, Walsall, 16th in League Two, need to build on Saturday's fine 2-1 win at Notts County, with a busy festive fixture schedule of five more matches before they head for St Mary's.
Walsall manager Mat Sadler and match-winner Jamille Matt were talking to BBC Radio WM's Mike Taylor