Back-to-back Walsall defeats "tough to see" admits Mat Sadler

The Saddlers will drop out of the automatic promotion places if Doncaster Rovers win their game in hand at Salford City tonight. 

Since registering a club record nine-match winning streak in January, Walsall have emerged victorious just twice in 17 games (drawing eight, losing seven). 

They have also gone 10 games without a win in League Two - their longest winless run during Sadler's two seasons at the helm. 

"The last two [defeats against Barrow and Port Vale] have been tough for me to see from the group. I think prior to that there have been some very good performances that haven't yielded the results that we deserve," Sadler said.

"Then it becomes a culmination that we're in the position now. But that position is still a very strong one, we know where we are in the league, we know what is required in the final four games. 

"It's only up to us to turn that feeling that we have now into a line in the sand and a time to move forward." 

Walsall even failed to register a single shot on target in the 2-0 loss at Holker Street on Saturday and have conceded the joint-second most goals in the division (32) since the turn of the year. 

When asked if a lack of confidence is an issue, Sadler added: "It's football, that's human nature and the only way through any form of adversity is through hard work in whatever you do and for us we're a high energy, athletic team. 

"So when we don't show that side to us for spells then we don't look like us. It doesn't come to you, you have to go and get it."