Darren Moore – I class Darrell Clarke as a personal friend of mine

Moore backs under-fire Clarke to taste more success at Walsall

Saddlers boss insists coaches need time to implement their styles

Darren Moore has backed Darrell Clarke to taste more success at Walsall after describing the Saddlers boss as a "personal friend".

Clarke finds himself under pressure at the Banks's Stadium after a poor start to the season saw Walsall drop into the League Two relegation zone.

But Moore, who worked alongside Clarke at West Brom, insists the former Bristol Rovers boss will turn things around given time.

"Darrell's a personal friend of mine," said Moore, whose Doncaster side travel to Walsall on Saturday.

"I know how good a coach he is. He's a bright, intelligent coach. When I was at West Brom, he came in and helped us out on a number of occasions.

"He's got a good understanding of the game and he's got good experience in this league.

"He's a good guy, he's a good coach and I'm sure he'll turn things around at Walsall, given time."

Clarke has won just three of his 13 games in charge of Walsall since taking over from Matty Taylor in May.

But Moore, who was sacked by Doncaster in May after failing to win promotion from League Two, believes Clarke needs time to implement his own style on the team.

"Every manager needs time," said Moore.

"You can't just come into a club and expect to change things overnight.

"It takes time to implement your own style and your own ideas. I'm sure Darrell will get that time at Walsall and he'll turn things around."