It’s back to Sixfields on saturday and hopefully the FA Cup will bring a few more than the 700 brave Saddlers who watched last saturdays 2-0 victory.
The question is can lighting strike twice, who really knows but one thing for sure it will be a much tougher game than last weeks affair. Comments on how quiet the Cobblers fans were is bound to stir them up for the Cup. Whilst Cobblers manager Stuart Gray was not holding back when he attacked his teams poor showing, if they are not up for it this weekend then questions might start to be asked about the cobblers manager.
As for the super Saddlers perhaps for once having so many youngsters in the team might count against us as complancey might be our down fall.
So really it boils down to who is up for the Cup!!
Vital Talk
One piece of journalism that should have been pinned onto the Saddlers dressing room wall all week was a quote from Northamptons Dean Bowditch who clearly stated…’I didn’t think Walsall were any good’….good enough for a two nil win eh Dean.
The noise out of Sixfields started with how upset Stuart Gray was about his teams no show on saturday and how things are going to be different this saturday.
DD on the other hand has stated the obvious, it’s going to be a tough game, a view echoed by Danny Fox this week.
Northampton Team News:
With Alex Russell finishing his loan spell and with Dean Bowditch refused permission to play changes are likely to be made. Giles Coke and Ian Henderson both continued there recovery from injuries in the reserves but it looks like this game may have come too soon, although perhaps Stuart Gray may take a gamble.
Guy Branston looks likely to be given the ok to play by Peterborough, so little change to the starting line up really although the bench maybe weaker than last saturday, having said that if the players coming in are fighting for a shirt who knows.
Player to watch: Andy Kirk
Looks likely to start up front with Poul Hebertz. The one thing that the Cobblers are in need of is goals, after rediscovering his shooting boots in the last round against Darlington he went missing last saturday, he will be looking to make amends on saturday.
Walsall Team News:
With the long term absences in midfield and defence still out the back five will remain the same. However up front Micheal Ricketts had a slight knock, so despite been able to play he might miss out. If so will DD draft in Troy or go 4-5-1 with Mooney upfront alone, bring Ishmel in from the start…..although I am sure DD wants a fit Micheal Ricketts and a 4-4-2. Peter Sweeney has also been given the ok to play for us by Stoke City.
Player to watch: Tommy Mooney
In this cauldron of a cup tie his know how will prove invaluble whilst if required to go alone up front he is quiet capable of doing a good job.
Match Facts & Stats
Form would suggest an away win, but form and past results count for nothing in the FA Cup.
Match Prediction:
Last week I thought we would get a draw in the league and win in the cup, However winning without breaking into a sweat last weekend may well count against us…. I expect a nervous backs to the wall draw
Next Fixtures:
Nottingham Forest visit The Banks’s on tuesday trying to break our recent indian sign we appear to have over them……this is probably there best shot at us for sometime.
