The final game of the 20/21 season is finally here. It has been long awaited for Saddlers fans since about February, as they can close the door on what has been one of the toughest seasons in the history of the club. It has also been a campaign ending in disappointment for the hosts, who saw early season form dip with weather issues, and Covid, seeing fixture postponements, and pile up of games.
Walsall
It shouldn’t be difficult to motivate a professional footballer, no matter what the game, or what is at stake. However there is a chance for the class of 20/21 to end the season slightly better, or slightly worse than they currently are. Walsall can finish anywhere between 17th and 21st, which despite being a matter of ‘making up the numbers’, is still something to fight for.
It has been a season that fans have had to slog through, with little to get them excited about watching the side. After 45 games with very few goals, or even attacking football, one final win will lift the spirits of those that have spent their hard earned money supporting the team from afar the last year.
The fixture is the definition of a dead rubber, but for the likes of Perry, Kinsella, Osadebe, and the few others that are signed up ready for next season, it is another game where they will need to be showing why they have been signed, and why Saddlers fans should be excited to back them ahead of next season.
Carlisle
The first half of the season was nearly perfect for Carlisle, as they worked their way up the table. The side spent 18 games in the top 7, which is credit to them. However adverse weather, and Covid, saw them miss 6 games in a row. After a brief return to action, they were then forced to miss the next 3 games. This meant that they played only twice in a month and a half. The form after their restart saw them slide down the table, and the recent upturn in form has come too late to fight back into the play-off’s.
If Carlisle can keep hold of this side, then next season is already looking bright. They have a team that can perform, and by rights, should be in the play-off’s, if it wasn’t for a lack of match fitness, and an extended break. Midfielder Jon Mellish is their top scorer, with 11 goals in the league. Despite not having an ‘out and out goalscorer’, Carlisle have a wealth of goals in the team, with Lewis Alessandra and Joshua Kayode scoring 8 each so far.
Their season has been largely been a positive one, and the additions made have proven themselves. Paul Farman, Rhys Bennett and Rod McDonald are all experienced players at this level, and have added depth to this Carlisle squad, something that their fans are hoping will be key next season.
