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FAC Walsallv Millwall

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A silly 2pm kick off sees our third game of the season against Millwall. This may well be the hardest of the three.
It is rare that any team will beat another three times on the bounce, and we will have no suprizes for our London visitors. Certainly Millwall will be out to prove a point after of easy 3-0 win in December, but there will be changes to both teams. Millwall and the cup will ensure that there will be a better following of lions fans whilst a lot of the Saddlers will have half an eye on local non league club Chasetown who play Cardiff… I don’t expect a great turnout saturday.

Vital Talk

The FA Cup has taken the back seat for both clubs as the January transfer window has been more important.
Millwall have signed up Jay Simpson and also ex Swansea winger Adrian Forbes from Blackpool. Whilst the Saddlers have been trying hard to put up the not for sale signs as teams flock around our bunch of taleneted yougsters.

Walsall Team News:

Tommy Mooney has been ruled out by manager DD, and unless something is arranged with Stoke today Peter Sweeney will not be allowed to play against his old club.
Clayton Ince will continue in goal, the back four will be disrupted by the suspension of last weeks motm Anthony Gerrard, so Ian Roper will come in alongside Dann with Fox and Weston at full backs.
With Dobson and Boetien not quiet reday for the first team, Bradley and Wrack will continue there makeshift central partnership. Wide positions will be between, Ishmel, Deeney, Sonko and Hall perhaps Nicholls.
Up front Micheal Ricketts will be partnered by Deeney if DD goes 4-4-2 if it is 4-5-1 then Taundry impressed against Doncaster and the youngster may get the nod again.

Player to watch: Ian Roper

Gets his chance to impress after the back four have been so solid and kept him out.He will need to be at the top of his game against Alexander and Simpson or it will be back to the reserves for the veteran.

Millwall Team News:

Neil Harris is missing due to suspension Danny Senda will have a late fitness test after coming off last week with a hamstring injury. Midfielder David Brammer has picked up five bookings but despite what it says on the FA lisiting he may miss the Vale game rather than this one…but who knows.
Alexander the striker who impressed many Saddlers in the 3-0 home win broke his nose on saturday but looks likely to play upfront along side Jay Simpson, it is unclear if Kenny Jacket will give Forbes his debut or whether he will start from the bench. Loan signings Marcus Bignott and Brkovic are clear to play.

Player to watch: Lenny Pidgeley

The ex chelsea keeper who came to the fore in a loan spell for then Championship Watford was immense against us in the last meeting and on a number of occasions prevented further goals we could do with him been on an off day!!

Match Facts & Stats

Whilst current form means nothing in the cup,we have beaten Millwall twice in the league this season and sit 11 points above them…so we should fear nothing. However recent form has seen Millwall win two home games without conceeding (Brighton and Crewe) over Xmas whilst an 93 minute equaliser on new year at Northampton gave them a share of the points. Striker Gary Alexander getting the goal to contiinue his rich vein of form.
Whilst ourselves remain unbeaten in 14 games and clean sheets are becoming a habit, the last time we let in 2 was against Southend our last defeat on October 20th !!

Ref Watch:

Any Plonker will do according to the FA anyway!!

Match Prediction:

It is a winable match, but I feel in my water we won’t do it…either a narrow defeat or the nightmare of losing a replay after a boring draw.

Next Fixtures:

Tuesday 8th we travel to Yeovil, with Swindon Town here next saturday (12/01)

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