Today, Walsall are looking to make it three win in a row, against a struggling Colchester side. It is typically the type of game the Saddlers struggle in, and it will be a big test to see how far they have come on in recent weeks, and whether the last two games were a stroke of luck, or if the side is indeed improving.
Colchester
It has been a disaster of a season for Colchester. They started well, and were flirting with the play-off’s, however 1 win in 24 has seen them drop down the league to 22nd, and only 4 points ahead of Southend, who they play on Tuesday. It has been a torrid 24 games for the U’s, with 13 losses, and 10 draws.
They have struggled in both boxes. In attack, they have only scored only 39 times, which is the 4th lowest in League Two. Their top scorer is Callum Harriot, with 9 goals, he is followed by Javani Brown, with 7. Both players are a threat in attack, as is Frank Nouble, who has returned to Colchester on loan, after being released last summer by the club. In defence, only Oldham have conceded more goals than Colchester, despite the U’s having the experience of Tommy Smith and Tom Eastman in defence.
Hayden Mullins has taken over on an interim basis after manager Wayne Brown was replaced at the end of March. Brown had a less than successful spell after replacing Steve Ball. The recent manager changes have not managed to ease the U’s pain. Mullins had started well, with back to back draws against high flying Bolton, and fellow strugglers Barrow. However it has come crashing down, after their last game, which ended in a 5-2 defeat to Oldham.
Walsall
What a difference a week makes. After 4 successive draws, fans were growing concerned that the side would slip into the relegation battle, much like their hosts. However after back to back wins, those concerns were eased. It has been two much improved performances from the Saddlers, who are unbeaten in 6, and have only conceded 2 goals in that spell. The defence is looking solid, and everyone in the team is playing it’s part to keep the goals out.
Walsall have started to threaten more going forward. Rory Holden has improved the side, and the players around him. Emmanuel Osadebe, and Josh Gordon, have all looked sharper and slicker with Holden in the side. That being said, the goals haven’t been flowing. Despite the unbeaten run, Walsall have only scored 4 in that spell. Today is a chance for the team to really get at a struggling team, and a struggling defence.
A win today would help Walsall avoid their lowest league finish in the clubs history. It is going to be close, but it is something to drive the players as the season draws to a close.
