WALSALL manager Jon Whitney believes his side sent out a message to the rest of the league with their 2-0 win over Swindon Town this afternoon.

While Erhun Oztumer stole the show with his two spectacular goals either side of the break, the Walsall chief was quick to praise the rest of the team for a complete performance at the County Ground.

The win was Walsall’s first of the season away from home in the league but with just one defeat in their last nine, Whitney is pleased with the way his side a clicking into form.

“I thought it was a Walsall FC show,” he said.

“Tactically, technically, physically and psychologically we were the better team.

“I thought we executed the game plan to near enough perfection and that was pleasing for me.

“I am grateful of Ozzy (Oztumer) to get his two goals and if he had got his other one - that would have been one of the best hat-tricks any of us will see.

“It was excellent from him. Good pressing for the first one to give him the opportunity, the second one is an unbelievable finish and he nearly got his third as well.

“The pleasing thing for me was the way the lads stuck to the game plan and then tactically they carried out everything we asked of them.

“They are a technical team, Swindon, you can see what Luke is trying to do with them.

“A lot of young players but I still think we controlled the game for the 90 minutes.”

The win lifts Walsall to within three points of the play-offs, a feat they achieved last season, and Whitney now is pleased to be looking up the table.

“They deserve to take some pride, because that sent out a little bit of a message today,” he added.

“We can regroup, freshen up and ready to kick on to Coventry next week.”