Mat Sadler: Walsall could have been more ruthless against Barnet

Walsall head coach Mat Sadler was pleased with his side’s fast start but admitted they lacked the ruthlessness to put the game to bed.

Goals from Connor Barrett and Aaron Pressley in the opening 20 minutes gave the Saddlers control, before Barnet’s Ollie Hawkins pulled one back before the break.

The hosts were later reduced to 10 men after Nnamdi Ofoborh saw red, but Walsall held firm to secure the win.

“I thought we started brilliantly,” said Sadler. “We hurt them in transition and found space early, which was very pleasing.

“The first goal was fantastically worked – Charlie Lakin did brilliantly on the left and Connor Barrett got into exactly the position we wanted. We carried that attacking threat throughout the first half.

“If there’s a criticism, it’s that we were a bit too casual in good areas. We could have been more ruthless and taken the game away from them. That was the message at half-time. It was disappointing to concede, though that can happen.”

Sadler felt the red card shifted momentum.

“We continued playing in a similar way, but the sending-off galvanised them a bit. We needed more composure,” he added.

“This game could have taken a different turn. The red came as Connor was running through on goal. But credit to the lads – every away game is a challenge, and they showed real resilience.”

Barnet manager Dean Brennan admitted his side must improve their first-half performances after suffering a third successive defeat.

“Our performance in the first 20 minutes wasn’t great. We looked a bit nervy, didn’t move the ball quickly enough or overload them. Errors play a big part in football,” said Brennan.

“For the first goal, it’s an individual duel we’d highlighted all week. Ryan Glover gets turned over by their full-back – it’s something we flagged. Those are the details we need to get right. If we improve by 10 per cent, that’s already 10 per cent better.”

Despite going 2-0 down early, Brennan praised his side’s response.

“Two-nil is never a safe scoreline,” he said. “We pulled one back and showed courage, using different scenarios to stay in the game.”

On Ofoborh’s red card, Brennan added: “It was the right decision and good refereeing. We made tactical changes that people don’t always see. I’m proud of many parts of our performance, especially in the second half.”

Brennan also voiced frustration at decisions that went against his team.

“Aden Flint made two rugby tackles, there were no bookings at all. We had two clear penalties on Ollie Hawkins,” he said.

“My players are desperate to win. We need consistency in selection like last year, but the effort, courage and togetherness were there – they gave absolutely everything on the pitch.”