Boss Sadler 'never doubted' Walsall players

Mat Sadler has been in charge of Walsall for two years since May 2023

Walsall manager Mat Sadler says he has "never once doubted" the commitment or talent of his squad despite their late-season collapse into the play-offs.

The Saddlers led League Two for several months, amassing a 12-point advantage at the top at one stage, only to end up finishing in fourth place.

But they go into the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Chesterfield with a 2-0 lead and off the back of two victories and two clean sheets.

And they will walk out in front of a potentially sell-out crowd at the Bescot Stadium on Friday with their manager insisting his belief in his squad never once took a knock despite them dropping out of the automatic spots.

"We have such a good, young, hard-working group with us that I have never doubted, not once," Sadler told BBC Radio WM.

"We have had two huge games away now and won both and not conceded."

Sadler's side arrested a slump which saw them win just three of their last 21 league games when triumphing 1-0 at Crewe on the final day of the regular season.

They followed it up with a huge win away from home against Chesterfield – which makes them hot favourites to progress to the League Two play-off final on 26 May.

Sadler admitted Walsall are in good shape for the second leg but is taking nothing for granted.

"It isn't done and we always knew that was the case," he added.

"They [Chesterfield] have really good players and we are going to have to be at the top of our game to show the best side of us.

"The scoreline is irrelevant in my mind and we start from scratch again. But it is an exciting game and they are the ones you look forward to and the ones you have to be prepared for."

Walsall will be without Oisin McEntee and Connor Barrett for Friday's match, the former failing to shake off an ankle injury and the latter serving the final match of a three-game suspension.