Mat Sadler wants Walsall to quickly move on from automatic promotion heartbreak
Posted Sunday, May 04, 2025 by PA
Mat Sadler is confident Walsall can take the momentum of a final day victory at Crewe into their League Two play-off clash with Chesterfield.
George Hall’s second-half goal had the Saddlers and their 2,000 plus following daring to dream as they lay in the third automatic promotion spot for half an hour at Gresty Road.
But Bradford’s stoppage-time winner against Fleetwood has left them with it all to do to earn a place in League One via the play-offs.
Despite the disappointment, Sadler was able to reflect on an improved display which saw his team secure victory for the first time since a 2-0 success at Morecambe on February 22.
Walsall – who once had a 12-point lead at the top of the table – had drawn eight times in a 13-match winless run.
“It was disappointing we didn’t see the job out today. We did what we had to do, but you knew that Bradford would be throwing the kitchen sink at it over there,” said Sadler.
“I thought we played really well and we showed real resilience and calmness in the situation.
“We showed control in difficult circumstances and that was a real positive. Now we have to take that and take the momentum from winning the game into two tough play-off games.
“At the start of the season we’d have taken being in the play-offs, but that’s not the situation we found ourselves in.
“Now we have to be positive again and our mentality is always to be fighters and we’ve seen that today.
“Chesterfield are a good team and it is no surprise they’ve got into the play-offs. We’ve had two good games with them and now we need to be ready to lock horns with them again.”
Crewe have finished the season poorly, succumbing to five defeats in their last six games.
And they ended the campaign down in 13th place after they had vied for a play-off place until recent weeks.
Alex boss Lee Bell said: “We made some changes and we did things the way we’re looking for next season.
“We created opportunities and it was good to see players like Fin (Roberts) out there as they will feature more next season.
“Next season starts tomorrow and it is important that we do that as where we’ve finished is not good enough. It is a major disappointment.
“I’ve had a good discussion with the chairman and the directors and we need to look at how we can move forward.
“We’ll look at what we’ve got budget-wise and see what we can do.
“Today I feel for Walsall as Matt Sadler is an excellent fellow and they have excellent players.”
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