Last night the Saddlers defeated Dutch giants Ajax 2-0 at the Banks’s Stadium and rightly so fans couldn’t contain their excitement following impressive displays from trialist a, b, c and d.
We wont get carried away and we will try to bring you back down to earth but the side and performance last night was by far our best performance of pre-season and gives us some optimism ahead of the new season.
Heavy defeats against Stoke and Aston Villa added to the fact we haven’t really strengthened gave many grave concern ahead of the new season but last nights performance showed glimpses of what we are capable of if we can get the right people in.
We take a look at the trialists on everyone’s lips…..
Tom Brewitt – the former Liverpool and Middlesbrough defender was the pick of all the trialists for me. He looked composed, read the game well and wasn’t afraid to put his body on the line when needed. The Ajax winger did beat him a few times but he recovered well. He also pinged in a superb cross for Andy Cooks opener.
Goal! Brewitt's cross met with a towering header by Cook and he plants it in the corner. Greater header! #saddlers #walsallfc
— Joseph Masi (@JosephMasi_) July 19, 2018
Tomas Egert.- The former Burton Albion centre back has featured in every pre season friendly for the Brewers up until last night but maybe Nigel Clough is stalling on a deal for him and he wanted to impress elsewhere. He had played the full ninety minutes a few days ago but didn’t show any sign of tiredness. He kept Danish World Cup striker Kasper Dolberg quiet all evening.
Who is other one? @JosephMasi_Star @VitalWalsall pic.twitter.com/OGyizgP3zo
— Andrew Cooper (@mranimalia) July 19, 2018
Christian Mbulu – We arent 100% that it was Mbulu but the CB last night looks more like Mbulu than the original guess of Donervon Daniels. Whilst Egert was the rock of defence Mbulu was the man that came out with the ball looking for a pass. Egert and Mbulu worked well as a unit.
Anybody know who was he? @VitalWalsall @JosephMasi_Star pic.twitter.com/CBetnfXqpS
— Andrew Cooper (@mranimalia) July 19, 2018
Michalis Giortzakis – Not 100% on the mysterious Cypriot but he’s becoming a regular in the Saddlers pre season and again last night showed glimpses that he can add a bit of quality to the Saddlers midfield. He is still far from the finished product but he wouldn’t be a bad squad addition.
