Relieved Saddlers!

Walsall came away from Dean Court with a point, against an extremely poor but plucky Bournemouth side. Once more on their second visit to the coast this season the Saddlers just failed to turn up. The side included veteran Darren Wrack coming in for Troy Denney and Demontagnac in for McDermott. Though poor it was the Saddlers who could have taken an early lead, Moss’ throw landed straight at the feet of Sonko but the winger failed to capitalise.

Walsall played at the back with what later Manager Richard Money would lable as a ‘lack of common sense’. They were duly punished on twenty miniutes, Joe Kuffour lashing the ball into the net. Surely the Saddlers would react but unfortunately they failed to take heed of their previous warning. The only positive taken out of this unacceptable first half showing was we were just one goal behind. As previously, there was far too much respect to former International players Paul Telfer and Darren Anderton, who were left to run midfield.

Into the second half and things had only improved slighty. The wingers our only means of attacking menace were not in the game, as they came in from the flanks to help the midfield battle for possession. Demotagnac’s best work came in his defensive duties. Tommy Mooney was completely isolated up front, long balls were pumped to him but he was out numbered and out muscled. Bradley, Dobson and Wrack showed a clear lack of defensive grit in midfield, which was so evident when Mattis played.

Richard Money rang the changes, Paul Hall, McDermott and Troy Denney came on. Bournemouth missed numerous chances to get a killer goal which would have seen off the poor Walsall effort. Kuffour couldn’t deliever in front of an open goal. Then nine minutes from time the Saddlers struck to leave the home side still rooted to the bottom of the table. Denney sprinted onto the ball on the left wing, he cut the ball back to Bradley who’s sharp pass/shot was placed into the net by Wrack.

But the Saddlers still hadn’t learnt, poor defending could have contrived to giving the home side all three points. Walsall were their own worse enemy. There were heart stopping moments in injury time as Clayton Ince raised heart beats and blood pressure’s in the away end.

So overall this match was a matter of relief, Money commented ‘I wouldn’t say we were lucky to get a point but I was relieved to come away with one.’ Money will now be looking to the loan market to strengthen his ranks, with two possible new faces coming in before the match against Cheltenham Town, the Saddlers won’t be able to be play this poor again and not be severly punished.