Today we travel to Barrow, hoping to continue the unbeaten run to an unlucky 13. Can we keep it going? How have the new boys been doing so far? Let’s have a look.
Barrow
It hasn’t been the start to the season that Barrow would have been hoping for. In the summer, they lost manager Ian Evatt, who left to go to Bolton, and under new manager David Dunn, Barrow have not won a competitive match to date (except a penalty win in the EFL Trophy). Their last couple of games have left a lot to be desired. They had an epic match last week with Bolton, one that meant a lot to the club, and the fans, however a last minute Bolton goal denied them their first three points of the season. They also have recently lost to Harrogate, and drew to Leyton Orient, who had 10 men for 80 minutes.
Barrow have not been helped with a busy treatment room. They lost Scott Quigley, who was the National League top scorer last season. He returned against Bolton, before taking a knock and leaving the field. Barrow also lost Chris Taylor, who was forced off at half time too.
Walsall
This is the game that the Saddlers need to be winning, if we want to be in the mix come the end of the season. Barrow are yet to win a game, and concede a lot of goals. There is a shout for a very attacking look to our side, but we are Walsall fans, and we all know that this is the type of game that we struggle in, and fail to do what we want (Carlisle and Morecambe were last seasons).
I am unsure whether we will play 4-4-2, or 4-2-3-1. I think it will be the decision of whether Osadebe will be playing in that No10 role, and Holden out wide, or whether Lavery keeps his place up top with Adebayo. Defensively I am unsure again. I expect Clarke and Scarr to start, and after two MOTM performances, I would expect to see Nurse. White showed his talents mid-week, and his determination showed us that he won’t want to be backup to Norman. I think Norman will start, as White has not played a lot of football, and 2 games is a week may be too much too soon for him.
The Game
It could be a game with a lot of goals, Barrow have scored 7 and conceded 10, with the Saddlers scoring 8, conceding 6, but then again, I said that both ourselves and Exeter always looked like scoring before the match, and that didn’t go to plan. It will be a different test. Bradford were quite physical, but got the ball down well at times, Exeter were a team that retained the ball well and got it out wide, and Colchester had pace. I am unsure on Barrow’s style, as it is early days for them, with a lot of rotation with injuries, but from what I have seen, they are straight out of Non-League.
Barrow will be in our faces a lot, trying to wind us up, being quite physical, and every trick in the book to gain an advantage. We will have to be streetwise, and keep focussed on our play, and our game.
