Walsall boss Mat Sadler hailed the left foot of Evan Weir after admitting the defender made “all the difference” in his side’s thrilling 4-2 win over Tranmere.
The 23-year-old defender twice put the Saddlers in front in a roller-coaster affair – a stunning free-kick and an even better first-time half-volley, both from just outside the box.
Tranmere rallied from 1-0 and 3-1 down through Joe Ironside and Billy Blacker but fine finishes from Daniel Kanu and Albert Adomah – the latter in stoppage time – sent Walsall third.
Weir is getting his chance after set-piece specialist Taylor Allen left for Wycombe in the summer and Sadler says the Irishman’s patience is paying off.
“Evan’s left foot is one of the best I’ve seen in this division and in a game like this – a tough, aggressive League Two game – to have the quality he’s got, made all the difference,” Sadler said.
“Taylor was playing very well last season but we always spoke about being ready when your chance comes, and Evan has done that.
“To score when he did for the second goal, it was a really important part of the game for us to send them in deflated at half-time because their tails had been up.”
Walsall are flying high once again, bouncing back from their collapse from runaway League Two leaders to beaten play-off finalists last year – something Sadler wants to draw a line under.
“There will come a point when we stop talking about last year and I have certainly reached that point, so hopefully everyone else eventually gets there,” he added.
“It’s a good start but that’s all it is – we’ve showed some different ways to win games and we’re going to have to keep doing exactly the same.”
Rovers boss Andy Crosby rued the defensive errors that denied his team the point he thought was the least they deserved.
“After the first goal went in we controlled most of the rest of the first half, we were the team in the ascendancy, we scored a really good goal and had other opportunities,” Crosby said.
“We came here and had large spells but to give away the type of goals we did, you’re always going to make it really difficult for yourselves, give yourselves an absolute mountain to climb.
“To come away to a team fourth in the table and score two goals and walk away with nothing – that’s happened because we haven’t defended well enough individually and collectively.
“We lost possession in the middle of the pitch through a simple pass. To come in at half-time 2-0 down was extremely disappointing but it was through our own stupidity.
“Let’s not feel sorry for ourselves, we’ve caused our own problems.”
