Isaac Hutchinson believes that the break Walsall have had has enabled them to be ready for their Good Friday game against MK Dons.
The Saddlers are currently placed in 10th in League Two, three points behind Crawley Town in seventh position having played the same number of games. They travel to Milton Keynes tomorrow before welcoming Salford City to Bescot Stadium on Easter Monday.
Mike Williamson’s side are bearing down on the automatic places and are three points behind Wrexham despite playing a game more. They fell to a humbling 5-0 defeat to Stockport County last time out.
Speaking to club media ahead of the game, Isaac Hutchinson was grateful to the weekend break they were given, and will have not played for a fortnight since their 1-1 draw with Colchester United.
He said: “Off the back of having so many games it was probably needed, I think. We had a couple of games where we probably looked a little tired or just weren’t quite at it.
“This has given us an opportunity to refocus, rest and recover, refocus mentally and be ready to kick on now.
“It allows people to get away from football and think about other things for a bit and then when you come back in you are ready to get back down to work and think about what we want to do.”
They travel to Buckinghamshire to face a Milton Keynes side that have won the most amount of points at home out of any League Two club, with 43 in 20 matches.
Morecambe were the last team to defeat the Dons at Stadium MK, with a 2-1 comeback win for The Shrimps in January.
Previewing the match itself, the midfielder continued: “It’s going to be two good teams who are fighting for promotion and the backing is unbelievable, so hopefully we can give them something to celebrate.
“I think they are a good team; we know what their strengths are, but our focus will be on us and making sure we do the right things and do our strengths and see where that gets us.”
Walsall will be looking to end a 10-year wait to win at MK Dons, having last got the better of them in a 3-0 win in March 2014 courtesy of a brace from now-Millwall striker Tom Bradshaw.
This season’s reverse fixture ended in a 0-0 draw in October, with the 23-year-old Hutchinson being carded.
Should he play in both games this weekend, it will see the former Derby County man reach 100 appearances for The Saddlers, something he is delighted with. He added: “Since signing last summer, I’ve had nothing but enjoyment from being here. Obviously, I have been playing most games, trying my best to help the team.”
“To clock up that number of games firstly and then being able to add a few goals and assists to that as well, I’m really happy with it.”
Writer’s View
This is a crucial game for both sides, but moreso for Walsall. It is getting ever tighter for the last place in the play-offs and making a statement win against a promotion contender will put them in good nick going forwards. The fixture list is very kind to Mat Sadler’s side going forwards, so getting over their last big hurdle tomorrow should put major pressure on Crawley Town.
MK Dons have played more games than the teams in front of them. Their fate is currently out of their hands but keeping within touching distance in case any of Wrexham, Stockport or Mansfield Town slip up will be Mike Williamson’s priority. This contest could very well end up being a rehersal for a play-off semi final too so a win could be great motivation for those showdowns in May.
Football journalist with The Real EFL since 2023. A 2024 Multimedia Journalism graduate from the University of Salford, Lewis specialises in Salford City FC and EFL coverage.
