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"I feel that during the past three games I've started to build up a good understanding with Andy (Butler). Chris Nicholl has come in and he knows a hell of a lot. Back in the day he was a very good defender and we're trying to be as good as him. He's got a vast amount of experience as a player and as a manager. He was a centre-half as well so for me Andy Butler, Manny Smith and Clayton McDonald it's great to have him around.
"He's at training every day and takes the central defenders for 10 or 15 minutes afterwards to do extra heading and clearances and our performances are showing it's starting to work. I've learned a lot from him. You can only learn from someone like him who has seen the game for a number of years.
"The back four are much more alert and focused thanks to Chris. When you're under pressure as a defender sometimes you just have to kick it into row Z. When we have got time we do try to play football but there is a time and a place to do it.
"The draw on Wednesday means that it's three games unbeaten for us now. Notts County is never an easy place to go to and in Lee Hughes they have one of the best strikers in League One. He puts his body about and has plenty of experience, so it was a good test for me.
"There is added confidence and belief in the team and we will take it into Saturday's game at Carlisle. Hopefully we can keep a clean sheet and get the point. We haven't lost for a while, it gives us confidence and we'll take that in to tomorrow's game.
"It shows the character that exists in the squad now because earlier in the season we would have probably lost that game at Notts County. The Gaffer (Dean Smith) has come in with his fresh ideas, whilst Jon Whitney is quality and a good character to have around the place. You can certainly see the difference they have made already."
In team news for the Saddlers tomorrow they will be missing two experienced strikers for different reasons. Darren Byfield still absent with a long-term knee injury which he expects to return from at the end of the month, while United-loanee Jason Price is unavailable under the terms of his deal that sent him from Brunton Park to the Banks's Stadium on loan for a month last week, Price having scored once in two games so far for Walsall.
The referee for tomorrow's match is Colin Webster from Shotley Bridge and he will be assisted down the lines by Iain Siddall from Bolton and Peter Wright from Southport. Meanwhile the fourth official is Bob Roberts from Leyland, near Preston.