Walsall boss Mat Sadler believes his Isaac Hutchinson-inspired Saddlers do not know how good they can become after the midfielder’s hat-trick helped them thrash high-flying Gillingham 4-1 in League Two.
Hutchinson scored three and set up Walsall’s other goal after Gills caretaker boss Keith Millen was sent to the stands for tripping winger Tom Knowles as he tried to take a throw-in.
Two fine finishes came from playmaker Hutchinson’s left foot, either side of slipping Freddie Draper in to slot home, and he sealed his treble with a late header from a Ross Tierney cross.
“Isaac will undoubtedly get the plaudits because he’s scored three goals,” said Sadler.
“But for me, the game was won in the midfield three – Ross, Oisin (McEntee) and Ryan (Stirk) were brutal and relentless. They just continuously ran over them. The engine room really hummed today.
“Isaac is a constant goal threat. Even if he’s not having his best day, he always provides a threat for us. He’s constantly supplying a source of creativity.
“There have been challenges, we’ve had injuries and suspensions and it’s been difficult but it came together today.
“They’re still finding that belief of how good they are and how good they can be because they are a young group but they are desperate to do well and improve.”
Sadler also had sympathy for his opposite number Millen after his dismissal.
“He’s a top bloke, a proper football man and he will hurt from that result and incident because I know the sort of person he is – I’m sure he will be gutted,” Sadler added.
Macauley Bonne’s close-range finish gave Gillingham hope at 3-0 down but they slipped to a sixth-straight away defeat.
Acting assistant Mark Moss admitted: “We’re bitterly disappointed. We have fallen short of the standards the first-team group has set themselves this season.
“We’ve got to bounce back next week and we’ve got the perfect game to do it against Notts County, at home, where we’ve been generally very good.
“Obviously we’ve got to address the away form. We’ve got to be better on the road.”
On Millen’s dismissal, Moss added: “I didn’t see it at the time, I was looking down at the iPad. I wouldn’t have thought he deliberately tried to trip the player, I don’t think he would do that.
“The referee has got his own perspective of it and it looks how it looks but I can’t see Keith doing that personally.”
Former Gills player Steve Bruce has emerged as a surprise candidate to replace the sacked Neil Harris but Moss says the interim coaching group is happy to fill in.
He added: “I’m sure the club will take their time over someone. They want to get the right person in and that’s the right way to do it.”
USWNT goalkeeper Naeher to retire from international football
United States goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is to retire from international football next month.
Naeher has won 113 caps for the USWNT and was a regular between the sticks during their most recent World Cup-winning campaign in 2019, also starting for Emma Hayes' Olympic Gold medallists in Paris earlier this year.
The 36-year-old, who has represented the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL since 2016, will link up with Hayes' side for their upcoming friendlies against England and the Netherlands, but that will be the final camp she attends.
Naeher said in a statement posted to her Instagram account: "With immense gratitude and very thoughtful consideration, I have decided to retire from the international game.
"Having the opportunity to be a part of the USWNT for the past 15 years has been the greatest honour.
"This has been a special team to be a part of and I am beyond proud of what we have achieved both on and off the field. The memories I have made over the years will last me a lifetime.
"I know one chapter is ending, but I am so excited to continue to see the growth of this team going forward and what more they can accomplish."
Hope Solo (202) and Briana Scurry (175) are the only goalkeepers to make more appearances for the team than Naeher, who made her debut versus Argentina in December 2014.
Mbappe position switch works wonders for Ancelotti
Carlo Ancelotti was satisfied his tactical decision to switch Kylian Mbappe's position in attack paid off in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Leganes.
Mbappe scored his seventh goal of the season to help Madrid to a comfortable victory in LaLiga on Sunday.
However, his position in Madrid's front line has been a topic of debate since he joined the Spanish champions, with Mbappe having often played out wide while at Paris Saint-Germain.
And Ancelotti elected to switch Mbappe out to the left flank against Leganes, with Vinicius Junior spearheading Los Blancos' attack.
"Mbappe played on the left side, where he did well, and Vinicius on the inside," Ancelotti told reporters.
"We have to highlight their play to open the scoring. They did very, very well. Mbappe scored, after a fantastic assist from Vinicius. Little by little, they're both improving.
"Kylian is more used to playing there and today, for the team and for him, it was the best thing.
"Because playing on the outside brings more effort and Vinicius was back on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kylian had been training here for a week and a half, he was fresher."
Mbappe was not called up by France coach Didier Deschamps for this month's Nations League games, despite being Les Bleus' captain.
With an injury crisis at the back and a trip to Anfield to face Premier League and Champions League leaders Liverpool coming up, Ancelotti added he was hopeful of Lucas Vazquez, who has a hamstring strain, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, returning to action.
He was also upbeat about the contribution of Federico Valverde, who scored from a free-kick while filling in at right-back.
"The truth is that Fede, at the back, has done very well," said Ancelotti of the Uruguayan, who also wore the captain's armband.
"He's a fantastic fullback. After Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez, the best right-back in the world. His problem is that he can play at this level in many positions and is the coach's problem to choose the best position for the team.
"Let's see if Lucas and Tchouameni can recover. If not, we will make decisions."
Jude Bellingham netted Madrid's other goal as Ancelotti's team closed to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona, who drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Madrid also have a game in hand on Hansi Flick's side.
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