The Saddlers travel to Valley Parade on Saturday looking to bounce back from two consecutive league defeats. The most recent loss at Southend, featured a collapse after being 2-0 up at half-time, with all three Southend goals coming from set-pieces.
Vital Quotes:
Jon Whitney spoke at the pre-game press conference on Thursday.
“We had a bad experience there last year – the 4-0 – and we don`t want another performance like that,” said the 46-year-old.
“We want to go there, give it a go and enjoy the experience of playing in front of 16-17,000.
“We`ve looked at them and what their strengths are and they are a strong team. They brought Alex Jones in – he scored a lot at Port Vale and scored a good goal on Sunday.
“Jordy Hiwula came off the bench. They brought in Charlie Wyke from Carlisle and you can see how their form has dropped off since he left.
“Kevin Toner played Sunday too and they`re a good, strong team. They make you defend and overload in the final third. We`ve got to cope with it and then play our football.”
Bradford City Team News:
Kevin Toner may face his old side if Nathaniel Knight Percival isn’t declared fit for the game.
Player to watch: Charlie Wyke
The front-man joined from Carlisle United in the January window and has hit the ground running with 7 goals in 11 games.
Walsall Team News:
Erhun Oztumer and Eoghan O’Connell are both missing which means Franck Moussa and Matt Preston are likely to start. Depending on the formation employed by Whitney, Makris and Jackson/Bakayoko may be partnered up front together.
Player to watch: Franck Moussa
Could we see a reinvigorated Moussa as the season draws to a close and we edge closer to new contract negotiations?…
Match Facts & Stats
Ref Watch:
Michael Salisbury is in charge on Saturday and is currently officiating his first season in the Football League after stepping up from the National League.
Match Prediction:
Whilst it would be ‘very Walsall’ to sneak a win on Saturday, I can’t see anything other than a comfortable Bradford win.
Bradford City 3-1 Walsall.
Wyke x2 Edwards
Jones
