Walsall

Buckley rues defensive mistakes
Grimsby manager Alan Buckley blamed a defensive error for his side's 2-0 defeat at Walsall on Monday. He said: "I felt we were more than a match for Walsall and we had match possession but I was disappointed with the first goal we conceded. "Our defender could have kicked the ball out of play but he gets done and their lad has a free header in the net. "We have lost five in a row but I have seen an improvement in our performance and we must build on that on Saturday."

Saddlers hit by Dann injury blow
Walsall have suffered a blow with news that defender Scott Dann is set to miss the League Two promotion run-in. Dann, 20, suffered a fractured metatarsal in the second half of the Saddlers draw at MK Dons. Boss Richard Money told Walsall's website: "It's bad news for Scott and the club, we're likely to be without him for the rest of the season. "It's an unfortunate situation but it gives others the chance to come into the team and show what they can do."

Walsall 3-2 Accrington Stanley
Walsall came from behind to cut the gap on leaders Hartlepool to five points. They went ahead after 21 minutes when Kevin Harper fired in from 18 yards for his third goal in six games. Accrington were level four minutes later when Paul Mullin shot low past Clayton Ince and Robbie Williams headed them in front after the break. Dean Keates equalised from the penalty spot after Phil Edwards fouled Michael Dobson and Martin Butler's left foot shot sealed the win after 85 minutes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walsall: Ince, Pead, Westwood, Gerrard, Fox, Harper, Dobson, Keates, Cooper (Wrack 82), Butler, Benjamin (Sam 57). Subs Not Used: Wright, Taylor, Bossu. Booked: Keates. Goals: Harper 21, Keates 75 pen, Butler 85. Accrington Stanley: Martin, Cavanagh, Antwi , Williams, Edwards (Welch 89), Todd, Boco, Proctor, Whalley, Mangan (Doherty 86), Mullin. Subs Not Used: Dunbavin, Ventre, Almeida. Booked: Williams, Whalley. Goals: Mullin 25, Williams 65. Att: 6,062. Ref: M Russell (Hertfordshire).

Money furious after home reverse
Walsall boss Richard Money was furious after seeing his side waste the chance to go top of the League Two table with a 1-0 home loss against Bury. "If you don't approach it in the right way, this game can jump up and bite you on the backside," he said. "Our first-half performance was unacceptable and while it improved in the second half we didn't do enough to get back into the game. "This has left us all a bit flat but we'll pick ourselves up."

Walsall re-sign pacy winger Hall
Walsall have completed the signing of their former player Paul Hall from League One outfit Chesterfield. Hall, 34, rejoins the Saddlers six years after he ended his first spell to join Rushden and Diamonds. "It's another significant piece in our jigsaw," boss Richard Money told their website. "He has a great record and scores regularly from the right wing." Meanwhile, 18-year-old winger Ishmel Demontagnac has signed a new two-year contract at the club.

Mooney completes Walsall switch
Walsall have completed the signing of former Wycombe striker Tommy Mooney. The 35-year-old left the Chairboys earlier this month after rejecting their offer of a new contract. Boss Richard Money told Walsall's website: "We have brought in a player with fantastic hunger and ambition who is as fit as he's ever been." The veteran forward scored 29 goals in 87 league appearances during his two seasons with the Chairboys, after joining from Oxford in June 2005. In total, Mooney has scored 174 goals in 603 league games for 10 clubs.

Saddlers sign defender Boertien
League One newcomers Walsall have signed ex-Derby defender Paul Boertien. The 28-year-old was released by Derby this summer, and joins Walsall along with 27-year-old Gambian midfielder Eddy Sonko from Xanthi Skoda. "Paul has great experience. He is a tough-tackling left-back who has played at Premiership level," Saddlers boss Richard Money told Walsall's website. "His arrival gives us extra strength in depth and versatility. I'm delighted to have a player of Paul's calibre."

Saddlers boosted by Butler return
Walsall manager Richard Money has been given a boost by the return to training of striker Martin Butler. A virus has prevented the Dudley-born 32-year-old from being able to train for the past few weeks. "Martin has looked a lot brighter this week. His return is a big bonus for us," Money told Walsall's website. "He has plenty of experience at this level and will certainly be in my thoughts for Saturday. We will monitor his progress over the next few days."

Money upset with Walsall defence
Walsall boss Richard Money bemoaned his side's defending after after their 2-0 Johnstone's Paint Trophy first-round defeat at Bournemouth. "We've got to get stronger as a group and stop conceding unnecessary goals," the Saddlers manager said. "They haven't scored by opening us up - they just got two crosses in, and that shouldn't happen as we've got an experienced back four there. "It's becoming clearer week by week exactly where we need to strengthen."

Season's first win delights Money
Manager Richard Money was delighted to see Walsall win their first game of the season on Saturday. The 2-1 win at Milwall lifted Money's men off the bottom of the League One table and out of the relegation zone. "We needed those three points and I thought it was thoroughly deserved. I was never bothered about being bottom of the table," he said. "It meant a lot to get that first win of the season in the league and it makes us feel a lot happier."

Money demands Saddlers response
Walsall manager Richard Money has challenged his side to show their character after the 3-0 home humbling against Oldham Athletic. "We never really got started," he said. "There was a ten-minute spell where we threatened but once they got their second goal, we couldn't come back. "We'll see who is up for it now. I've pretty much said that to the players in the dressing room. "We've disappointed ourselves today and must make sure we bounce back."

Keeper Ince wins November award
Walsall goalkeeper Clayton Ince has won the League One player of the month award for November. The Trinidad and Tobago international kept three clean sheets in the league as well as another in the FA Cup in a month when Walsall remained unbeaten. "It's not all my work, it's a team game and as a team, we had a good month," he told the club's website. "As a goalkeeper you want to keep clean sheets and to get four in November and get this award is a good feeling."

Money happy with Walsall display
Walsall boss Richard Money praised his players after their 3-0 victory over Millwall saw them climb to sixth in League One. "It was a comprehensive performance," said Money. "I felt it was always going to be a difficult game but we played extremely well. "It sets us up nicely for the festive programme of matches. "It's nice to look at the league table right now but that's it. There are still 25 games to go."

Walsall confirm Brittain signing
Walsall have signed former Newcastle and Ipswich midfielder Martin Brittain on a short-term contract. The 23-year-old started this season with Carlisle United before having a brief spell with Scunthorpe. "Martin fits our profile perfectly. He's young, has pedigree and has had a good upbringing," manager Richard Money told his club's website. Meanwhile, striker Martin Butler, 33, has completed a move to Grimsby Town following an initial three-month loan.

Walsall accept U's offer for Fox
Colchester United have agreed an undisclosed fee with Walsall for Saddlers defender Daniel Fox. The 21-year-old, who is out of contract this summer and recently refused the offer of a new deal, will now discuss personal terms with the U's. Fox is a former Everton trainee, who joined Walsall in June 2005 after failing to make a first-team appearance for the Goodison Park club. Since then, he has made 118 league and cup appearances for the Saddlers. He was a regular in their League Two title-winning side last season. However, if he were to remain at the Bescot Stadium until the summer and join another club when his contract expires, Walsall would still receive compensation as he will still be under 24.

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