Well whilst us Saddlers moan about our lack of midfield cover for this game and look nervously for the white smoke out the stadium suite to signal the arrival of a new loanee, Luton fans have much more pressing concerns. Rumblings about the loss of some of there best players and the ability of manager Ian Blackwell and his signing of older players (sounds familar) have been going on for weeks. A poor performance against Brentford in the cup and a league position which saw many fans pre season favorites in the bottom half and three points below us saw the forums rumble on even louder. However all this has paled into the distance as the FA has piled up a number of charges relating to financial irregularities in respect to transfer and laon dealings. Some fear that the finacial penalties which this may incure will notonly stop the club in it’s tracks but also mean a point deduction and instead of been fighting for promotion a Christmas relegation batle maybe on the cards.
Saturday we will find out about the mental strenght of the Hatters, will it be Business as usual or will they crumble…or will they pull together and the seige mentality that has served Leeds so well appear at Luton.
Vital Talk
Danny Fox has been the man with the mic this week and the usual positive vibe has come out of the Banks’s as the company line is towed. Foxy was also fast to praise captain Marvel Tommy Mooney….not many Saddlers fans will argue with that.
Ex Luton Man Richard Money has been rich in his praise of his old club and still has many friends at Kenilworth road. He expects a tough batle and states he expects the experienced Luton Town to be at the right end of the table come May.
The normal ramblings of Ian Blackwell and his pre match build up has been inturpted by the FA rule book which has been firmly thrown in Lutons face.
Walsall Team News:
The clock ticks down and the hoped for midfield player hasn’t appeared although reinforcments will be here soon it might not be before saturday. With Mark Bradley on international duty and Dobbo still out, Foxy covering for Paul at left back, we could see four wingers in midfield on saturday, Wrack and Eddie Sonko in the middle and Hall and Ishmel wide. That is unless we disrupt the defence by pushing Gerrard into the holding midfield position which has made him look so uncomfortable at times which means that the out of form Ian Roper would partner Scott Dann infront of Clayton Ince…….in other words a right mess!
At least Tommy Mooney and Micheal Ricketts are sure to start up front.
Player to watch: Eddie Sonko
Like most wingers he has games where his involvement is limited and unfortunatly the Shrewsbury game was one of them. Eddie is a fans favorite but is aware that he has to impress manager DD to earn a new contract next summer, consistancy is the key.
Saturday may well see him in a central midfield role, a position he has played international football for Gambia in this position but can he do it in the cut and thrust of the English League.
Luton Town Team News:
Luton have signed a midfielder on loan today who will more than likely line up with Spring. However they have problems of their own. two loanees have returned with injuries and Paul Furlong lasted 5 mins in his return from a hamstring injury, whilst Walsall target Pesch is still out, and they have a couple of lads away on international duty…..similar to us but there strenght in depth is greater than ours, the question is if off the field events will take any toll.
Player to watch: Ian Blackwell
Ok he isn’t a player, but he is starting to have a few question his ability to do a job at Luton another defeat against a much weakened Saddlers side will see those whispers grow louder.
Match Facts & Stats
Luton have a dreadful away record but tomorrows game is a one off with both teams effected by circumstance, so that might not count for much.
Last meeting saw Walsall run out 2-0 winners but that didn’t count for much as Luton left for the Championship as we fell into league two.
Match Prediction:
Who can guess this one, I worry about our midfield in this one, and the best form of defence may well be attack so I will go for home win.
Next Fixtures:
Next saturday Northampton away in what could be a dry run for the FA Cup Second round, if they win the reply.
