Can DD’s red Walsall army cast aside basement club Torquay to close the gap on the leaders Hartlepool?
Vital Quotes:
Walsall: DD is very wary of the threat Torquay pose, stating that is would not be easy in Devon and he points to the Gulls recent victories over Wycombe and Stockport. He seems to think Torquay have a very organised side who will be tough to beat.
Torquay: Ex-Saddlers boss Colin Lee, who is director of football at Plainmoor, wants nothing but a win over his former employers. He said the Gulls needed to focus on trying to get back-to-back wins.
Torquay United Team News:
Colin Lee will have the services of on-loan Sheffield United midfielder Lloyd Kerry, who returns from injury. Striker Marvin Williams has been recalled by his parent club Millwall, while defender Steve Woods is back in training after recovering from a knee injury, but he will be short of match practice.
Player to watch: David Graham
The ex-Wigan striker is currently on-loan from Sheffield Wednesday and brings with him a significant threat that Anthony Gerrard and Chris Westwood will have to control. The 28-year-old Scotsman has not been prolific since his move away from Torquay to Wigan back in 2004, but he did score 22 goals in 41 appearances before his transfer. He has helped revitalise the Gulls fortunes in the past few weeks, so watch out!
Walsall Team News:
The Saddlers are without Ian Roper and Scott Dann for the rest of the season with a knee injury and broken metatarsal respectivly. Ex-Gull striker Tony Bedeau is back in contention for a place in the 16-man squad, but the game will come too soon for Auzzy defender Allan Picken, who is still short of match fitness after returning to training this week from a knee problem. Big Swede Par Cederqvist will also miss out with a back problem. Otherwise, DD has a full squad to choose from.
Player to watch: Dean Keates
THe Walsall legend has propelled into the good books of fans alike since his return a year ago. ‘Deano’ will no doubt show his class at this level with a decent performance and drive the team to achieve the three points. His goalscoring presence from the middle also makes him a threat.
Previous Meetings:
The last time Walsall set foot on the soil of Plainmoor, they were lead by Paul Merson and had a very frail defence. Torquay had just been promoted to League One and were on a high. The game was a closly thought tie, with Torquay dominating really, but it ended 0-0…just! The previous meeting this season at Bescot ended in a 1-0 win for DD’s men back in November, which saw the Saddlers regain top spot in League Two.
Match Prediction:
1-1. I think a draw would not be the worst result ever, but Walsall on the road has not produced a victory since the 2-0 win at Macclesfield in January. We have not won in four matches away from home and after Torquay beat Stockport last week and Wycombe before along with Colin Lee, I just can not see a win. I would hope Walsall would send the flying Gulls back down to earth.
Next Fixtures:
TORQUAY: Swindon – (away)
WALSALL: Hereford – (home)
