set pieces. The attacking set piece conversion rate improved vastly in comparison to the 2017-18 season, with Bristol Rovers doubling their conversion rate from corners after only 16 games of the season. In December 2018, long-time Bristol Rovers manager Darrell Clarke and his assistant Marcus Stewart left the club, being replaced by interim manager Graham Coughlan, assisted by Dutton and Chris Hargreaves. Walsall In May 2019, Dutton was announced to have left Bristol Rovers before he was appointed assistant manager at Walsall a week later where he would again be working alongside Darrell Clarke and Marcus Stewart. He became Walsall's head coach in February 2021 after Clarke joined Port Vale. His first match in charge, at home to Cheltenham Town, resulted in a 1–2 defeat. Dutton inherited the most inexperienced squad in all four English divisions but was particularly commended for the courage he showed by blooding many youngsters into the Walsall team. He gave league debuts to Sam Perry, Tom Leak and Joe Willis. High profile former Walsall players such as Elijah Adebayo paid tribute to Dutton and his ability to nurture and develop. Adebayo was quoted saying "Dutton brought me to the football club and Dutts was the main figurehead, not only in training but off the field stuff, checking up on me, giving me little bits of advice, and telling me how I can make the next step up." Adebayo spoke of Dutton being a mentor as well as a coach during his time at Walsall. Many aspects of Walsall's game improved under Dutton. Defensively the team's clean sheet ratio went from 1 in 9 games to 1 in 3 games and their goals conceded per game ratio reduced significantly. The lack of firepower from the inexperienced squad was a major issue and eventually cost Dutton his job despite the improvements. On 10 May 2021 Walsall parted company with Dutton with Walsall’s Chairman Leigh Pomlett saying, "Chairmen often say, 'I made that decision with a heavy heart' and I'm never absolutely convinced they always mean it, on this occasion I can assure you I do, because Brian stepped up to the plate when he didn't need to when Darrell left. He pretty much achieved a lot of the things I wanted him to achieve, particularly with the young players coming through. With the way he dealt with the players, with the courage he showed and the resilience