Its time to forget about Xmas shopping and get down to Bescot for what promises to be a cracker. Bookies favorites Swindon Town come to Bescot ten points adrift after losing to Mansfield in mid week. The game has turned into a real must not lose game, Paul Sturrocks men would find a 13 point gap a daunting prospect. So with our home form 3 points no problem then!, no not really we all know that despite the ever growing bandwaggon gaining pace in truth we have not been firing on all cylinders, now we have the manager of the month curse to over come, and the departure of Mark Kinsella. The form book says we are two fairly evenly matched teams, so it should be a cracker and too close to call.
Vital Quotes:
Dickie has been praising his team for there efforts following the Manager of the month award. He has been putting a bit of pressure on his opposite number Paul Sturrock (who won 2-0 on his last visit with the Owls) by saying they won’t want to be leaving Bescot 13 points behind.
Paul Sturrock has been asking his team to score more goals to push them up the table, as he rally’s his troops to push on against the Saddlers.
Walsall Team News:
Anthony Gerrard is fit and ready to push Dann for a staring spot, whilst Alan Picken continues his recovery but this game has come too soon for the centre half.
It is in midfield where the question marks appear.Dobson and Keates both missed the Bury win. Dobson should return but it seems Keates may still be missing. Kinsella may well play his last Walsall game and his last as a proffessional footballer before his move to Charlton. Pead has played well in midfield and may well play some part off the bench. Out wide Mark Wright should start, Tony Bedeau maybe struggling with a calf injury so Ishmel Demontagnac may stake a claim although I expect DD to go for the tried and trust Daniel Fox. Upfront Tommy Wright and Martin Butler will probably start with Hector Sam on the bench despite his match winning goal on Tuesday.
Player to watch: Martin Butler
Great all round play, but needs a goal…..enough said.
Swindon Town Team News:
Swindon came unstuck on tuesday but have a relatively fit squad, although they do have a couple of injury issues, Lee Peacock is doubtful with an shoulder injury
and Royce Brownlie has a dead leg picked up against Mansfield. However don’t feel too sorry for them since Christian Roberts will be fit and ready.
Swindon have suffered a couple of blows during the season with manager Denis Wise going to Leeds and there highly rated keeper breaking his arm. In both cases more than average replacements have been found in Paul Sturrock and on loan keeper Paul Smith.
Player to watch: Christian Roberts
Whilst his formidiable partnership with former saddlers target Lee Peacock been disrupted due to Lee’s shoulder injury. Christian has proven he is one of if not the best striker in the division. In fact he would be playing at a higher level if it wasn’t for the time spent battling addictions which have afflicted so many modern footballers.
Our defence will be tested to the limit.
Match Facts & Stats
Swindon’s away record is very similar to the Saddlers, being:-
Played 10, won 5, drawn 3, lost 2, for 12, against 9, points 18
Walsall have drawn one more and lost one less and we`ve scored one more goal. However our home record is second to none and I would not like to call this one.
Ref Watch:
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Mr Richard Beeby returns to Bescot adding yet another twist to an unpredictable game.
Match Prediction:
It really could go both ways, a saddlers win would have Walsall in dream land, both teams would settle for a point, but I have a feeling this could be our first home defeat.
Next Fixtures:
Wrexham away next saturday 16th December 3pm kick off.
