Walsall manager Mat Sadler admitted his side had to be resilient on their way to a crushing 4-0 win over Colchester.
Jamie Jellis fired the Saddlers into a half-time lead and they wrapped up the points with Albert Adomah scoring and Jack Earing adding a late brace.
“There were some tough times in that game, especially in the first half,” Sadler admitted.
“I talk about winning in different ways all the time and we had to be really resilient in that period against one of the best attacking outlets in the division.
“We knew we were going to have to come into a real physical battle. During those periods we did really well as a team to ride that out. We won so many headers in our penalty area, clearances, tracked runners, won tackles and blocked crosses.
“I know it says 4-0 on the scoresheet and it was a really impressive performance from us, but the real work and the proper blood and guts then paved the way for the ending.”
The visitors dominated the opening 10 minutes but failed to test Tommy Simkin in the Saddlers goal and the first real effort of note came from Walsall midfielder Ryan Stirk which flew wide in the 18th minute.
The breakthrough came after 39 minutes when central defender Taylor Allen collected a throw-in inside his own half and then lofted a long ball forward to Jellis, who darted in on goal and fired past goalkeeper Matt Macey.
The Saddlers started the second half strongly with Jellis forcing a decent diving save from Macey before visiting skipper Tom Flanagan had an effort blocked at the other end.
But it was the home side who looked the more threatening and it came as no surprise when they doubled their lead in the 79th minute when a low ball into the centre from Connor Barrett was turned in by substitute Adomah.
Fellow replacement Earing wrapped things up with two goals in the final two minutes. He drilled home from the edge of the area after Macey palmed away Nathan Lowe’s shot and he bagged his second after the U’s were caught on the break.
Colchester manager Danny Cowley said: “It was a case of one step forward and two steps back. We were the better team in the first half but they have scored a great goal just before half-time.
“But in the second half I thought we came out really flat and devoid of energy. We let the game drift. They then get the second goal and after that we have committed football suicide at the end – we were just so open. I know we had to get back in it but you have to do it with a level of intelligence.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Gyokeres, Sesko and Arsenal now Tottenham have made a bid worth £70 million for Mbeumo Inter Miami ready for FIFA Club World Cup "Arrogant" vs "Style" Guess who is he Only the real ones will understand this The top four loaned things in the world Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfoot...
Inter Milan forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days.That meant the Iran international was unable to take his schedule...
WHAT HAPPENED?Manchester United have accelerated talks in the last two days as they target the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike, according to a report by French outlet Foot Mercato. The Red Devils have reportedly intensified discussions with the player's agent and have made contact with the club regarding the potential terms of a deal for the Frenchman.THE BIGGER PICTUREA strike...
Viktor Gyokeres has snubbed a move to Manchester United, as per reports from Portugal.The Swedish forward was rumoured to be linking up with Old Trafford to join forces once more with ex-Sporting Lisbon gaffer Ruben Amorim. Record claims that Gyokeres has binned off the chance to don the famous Red Devils shirt, with his reps giving United the cold shoulder.Arsenal now seem to be at the front of t...
Nico Williams' private words to Yamal and Barca team-mates revealedNico Williams is doing everything in his power to join Barcelona this summer. Following his agent's meeting with Barca sporting director Deco, Williams' private conversations with Yamal and Barca team-mates within the Spain squad have now been revealed.No agreement between Como and City to sign Perrone permanentlyFabrizio Romano ha...
Viktor Gyokeres' dream destination revealed after Man United snubViktor Gyokeres reportedly has his heart set on a move to Arsenal this summer after rejected the chance to join up with Ruben Amorim at Man United.The 27-year-old is increasingly likely to leave Sporting this summer despite ongoing issues with the Portuguese champions hierarchy.Man United are understood to have made an approach but w...
Gennaro Gattuso agrees to become new Italy managerGennaro Gattuso has reportedly agreed to take over the Italy national team, replacing Luciano Spalletti after his dramatic dismissal. According to Fabrizio Romano, the 47-year-old will become the new manager of the Italy national team following Spaletti’s departure.The former Napoli manager was let go following a string of disappointing resul...
'Very self-destructive' - Luis de la Fuente hits out at Lamine Yamal criticsSpain manager Luis de la Fuente has vented his frustrations at the country's "self-destructive" tendencies after recent criticism of youngster Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old was heavily critcised for an uncharacteristically quite showing in Spain’s penalty defeat to Portugal in the UEFA Nations League.Yamal remains arg...
Alisson rejects chance to leave LiverpoolLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has reportedly rejected an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray as he seeks to play out his contract at the Premier League club.According to Florian Plettenberg, Alisson, 32, had received a ‘concrete offer’ from the Turkish giants who are set to be very active this transfer window.The Brazilian has since rejected th...
Germany v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Third Place MatchFlorian Wirtz is set to become one of the top earners at Liverpool after his stunning £116m move from Bayer Leverkusen.Van Dijk SalahWHAT HAPPENED?Accoridng to Sky Sports, the 22-year-old will earn a base salary of £195,000 a week. That could rise to more than £245,000 based on individual and team bonuses, representing a p...
- 1 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 2 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 5 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 6 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 7 Bonnie Blue banned from adult site as controversial stunt 'crossed the line'
- 8 Osimhen decides on Saudi move
- 9 Thomas Frank 'agrees' to take Tottenham job as Daniel Levy closes in on appointment
- 10 Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk opens up on retirement plans