Walsall wobble not bringing back bad vibes - Matt

Walsall captain Jamille Matt says their recent stutter in form is not ringing any alarm bells over last season's promotion capitulation happening again.

The Saddlers were 12 points clear at the top of League Two a year ago but ended up finishing fourth before losing in the play-off final at Wembley.

This season, Walsall have looked in excellent shape to erase that memory and had carved out a four-point lead at the top after a third straight win - and fifth in a row in all competitions - at Oldham on 10 December.

But a run of one victory in five since, with back-to-back defeats in four days against the Latics and at Cambridge, has seen Mat Sadler's side slip to third, above the play-off places only on goal difference, and five points behind new, in-form leaders Bromley.

"We're disappointed with the last two results and I'm not going to throw them away as if they're not important - of course they are - but we need to keep focussing on moving forward," Matt told BBC Radio WM.

"What is worrying about what's gone [before] going to do? Nothing."

The 36-year-old added the spectre of history repeating itself is not something the squad is concerned about.

"Last season's been and gone," he said.

"It's been well documented. It's a new season and let's focus on what we can affect right now.

"Everyone cares and wants to move forward. We say what we need to say and get back on the training pitch and work.

"It's a massive strength of ours that we're an open and honest group that work our socks off for each other.

"It's something we can always count on - keeping each other accountable - and I think the fans appreciate how hard we work for each other. So let's stick together."

Matt had to come off in the New Year's Day defeat by the U's after half an hour with a slight knee issue but said he does not think the problem is a major one.

"I had a little tweak," he added. "It was something I just couldn't get going again in my knee.

"I'm hoping it's nothing too bad. It's too soon to tell but I'm hoping it's only a couple of days [out]."