Clayton Ince insists Walsall won't settle for safety

Nov 21 2009 by Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

CLAYTON Ince this week made it crystal clear that Walsall do not intend to settle for simple mid-table safety this season.

For a club of the Saddlers’ stature, budgets and support-base competing in League One, first priority has always to be to secure their status as early as possible in the season.

But every year at least one of the unfancied sides emerges from the pack to reach the play-offs. And Walsall, who went into action at Brentford today placed tenth in League One, just four points below the top six, have done enough so far this season to suggest that, given luck and perhaps a loan acquisition or two, they could be the surprise contenders next May.

“The aim is to get up into the Championship,” Ince said. “We have been there or thereabouts for the past couple of years and now if we have a good run and really push ourselves I don’t see why we can’t be in the play-offs and push for promotion.

“In this league on any given day in any game whoever wants it more will win the games. We have a young team and a small squad and we have been doing well for the last couple of seasons. It’s just about consistency.

“We have a young unit and we are just lacking consistency but if you look at Walsall compared to the other teams in this division, if we had the budget and some of the players they have we would be flying.

“With the young team we have I think we are doing well. With the more games they play they will get more mature and more confident and as a team we are giving each other confidence.

“With the youngsters we have to give them belief that they can play the game. They are good enough, otherwise they wouldn’t be with the team now.

“We are working hard as a unit and trying to cut out the silly mistakes we’ve been making. Even myself and some others were maybe taking things for granted but now we’ve got our heads down and tried to work as a team and push forward.”