After a break at the weekend, Walsall now face a double header, with Stevenage on Wednesday, an Tranmere on Saturday. Fans are hoping that the games will see us play more like we did against Newport, and less like the two before it. So who has a big week ahead of them, and why?
The Goalkeepers
The reason I have highlighted both, is because either could start. If Robbo starts, he will have pressure his way, as fans will be expecting any errors to have been left behind him. It is a big call for Clarke to make, as Robbo has not impressed recently, and has been prone to costly errors at key times.
If Rose starts, then he has a big couple of games to show that he should be the starting keeper. He has a big opportunity, and a potential run of games, where Robbo is given time out of the spotlight, to really cement his spot. Rose has looked good in his games so far, and with fans calling for him to start, he will have to rise to the challenge.
Wes and Osadebe
These two players have really failed to hit the heights that we all expected from them. We know what to expect from Wes. On his day, he can beat his man, put in dangerous crosses, and link up well with the attack. He also can score, not only worldies, but generally he has an eye for goal. However, he has shown very little of this since the restart. He struggles to showcase his skills, and has been largely ineffective out wide. Stevenage are in trouble, despite a good cup win, and this is a defence where Wes can get in behind, beat them, and create, and I for one am expectant of it.
We knew Osadebe would take a bit of time to get up to speed, however he still seems far off the level we want, or need in this league. It was summed up by his miss last week. It was easier to hit the target than miss, yet he spooned the ball high and wide. He goes missing in games, and hardly affects the game. Like Wes, if he starts or plays mid-week, he will be against a defence that he should be able to attack, and play well against. I want him to do well, but I am struggling to see what he offers the team. Go on Paddy, prove me wrong.
Darrell
Oh what a week he has ahead of him. Stevenage feels like a must-win, similar to the Southend game, and we are all expecting a big performance and shift from the side. He is going to get every decision looked at more and more in depth, especially if results do not go our way, as we unpick the team, formation, in game decision and more. This is the time to show how good the team can be, or we risk cutting ourselves adrift from where we want to end up (like last season).
Newport was a very good result, and he will have a big decision to make in terms of who goes in goal, as we all know. He got his tactics, and approach to that game right, and he will be expected to do the same twice this week.
He has had the players for a week now, without fixture, and this probably makes me more expectant. We are rested, and have had more time to prepare for these games, so I want to see it on the pitch.
