Walsall boss Dean Smith spoke to the official Saddlers website ahead of his side's League One game against Carlisle tomorrow, Smith hoping that Walsall can improve on their poor form at the Banks's Stadium :
"I have always said that our job is to entertain at home and it is fair to say that we have not done that so far, and the performances have been somewhat iffy sometimes at home. Since the opening game of the season it's been a bit stop-start where we've not come to life until the second half of games. We need to be on the front-foot from the off, and I keep talking about that and the players know where we need to be and we'll be looking to do that on Saturday.
"I think the level of football we are at, the concentration levels need to be tapped into all the time and our concentration levels have to be high. The mental side of the game is so important and we have been working on this. But, we are a fairly young team, we have got some older players in there but if they are good enough then they are old enough to play.
"Our performances haven't been great and I have told the players that, We have to be more consistent, that is the biggest thing we have been telling the players, our performance levels need to be consistent over the full 90 minutes and that is what we have been telling the players in the build-up to the game. We have had spells during games but that always happens in football, that is what football is all about.
"Carlisle have done better on their travels this season than they have at home and this is something that I am surprised about as it's usually the other way round with them as we know how long it takes for everybody to get up to their place. Greg Abbott has done well there, but hopefully we can get the win that we desperately need, hopefully we have got the voodoo over them, we did the double over them last season."
Meanwhile 20-year old Walsall frontman Will Grigg commented to the official Saddlers website :
"We started the season well and were picking up points but things have gone downhill since our performance at Sheffield United at the end of August. Three points is the most important thing and we'll be looking for that on Saturday. We can't make any excuses, we want to be winning at home and it's vital that we do that against Carlisle. There is no reason for us to do badly at home with the small pitch so we need to go out there, pass the ball around and put in a performance.
"But, it's going to be tough as Carlisle have done well away from home so far, but we did the double over them last season. They'll come here looking for three points but that is what we want as well so we 're going to have to make it as difficult as possible and we're going to have to be in their faces from the off and show plenty of determination in order to get ourselves back on track.
"I came off the bench a lot last year and now I need to get regular starts and be able to push on. I was buzzing to be handed the number nine shirt during the summer but I know that with it comes responsibility and I have to get goals. I don't care how they go in, I just want to add to my tally on Saturday and help us secure three points.
"We have a nice blend of youth and experience here and I can only learn from people like Jon Macken, he is great to have around and he is always helping me on the training ground. My involvement with the Northern Ireland Under-21 squad is also a big help in my overall development, and I get new coaching techniques with the different coaches so obviously it helps."