This saturday we welcome Notts County to the Bescot in what is bound to be a stern test of our promotion capabilities. Notts County are strong away from home, whilst a repeat of our recent form would surely result in a first home defeat of the season.
After our shock cup upset there was some clouds of doom and dispondancy hanging over Bescot, to a large extent these have been lifted by the addition of a new striker one of a couple of positions most Saddlers had wanted to see improved. Its now time to see if it’s back to business or whether we continue to stutter along. County will be up for the challenge and like most teams visiting Bescot the pressure is off, and they will not want to have the gap to us open up to 13 points.
Vital Quotes:
Whilst the noise out County is rather gun ho with Keeper Kevin Pilkington saying they are up for the challenge and looking forward to it. The statements from Walsall are a bit more careful as Chris Westwood has warned of the need for patience against a strong County side.
Walsall Team News:
The question is will Tommy Wright go straight into the starting line up in place of Hector Sam or due to his lack of time at the club will DD put him on the bench and give him half and hour towards the end, and see how Hector responds.
On the injury front Darren Wrack, Alan Picken, and Anthony Gerrard will still be missing. However the players rested on Tuesday will return to the fold. Since James Constable has moved on loan to Kiddy, Alex Nicholls will be hoping that DD puts two strikers on the bench as he continues his injury come back.
Player to watch: Tommy Wright
A home bow from the loanee, things have not gone as well as he had hoped for at Barnsley despite gaining promotion with the Tykes. The goals that flowed so easy at Blackpool have dried up recently despite 19 appearances this season (bringing onlt one goal) Lets hope the tide turns against County.
Notts County Team News:
The only absence in comparision with recent games will be Matt Sommer who has a one game suspension. Whilst Stephen Hunt and Tom Curtis have been out for a while and will be looking to return next month.
So it will be a full strenght County side at Bescot
Player to watch: Jason Lee
It would not be right not to mention Jason Lee in his visit to Bescot. Whilst at Forest in the 80’s his famous ‘pineapple’ hair cut was made famous on Fantsy Football TV programme. Since then his footballing career has been mixed and possible hasn’t hit the heights he would hoped, but seems that things are going well at County.
So it won’t be a case of ‘his got a pineapple on his head’ but more of ‘where’s your pineapple gone’ as the haircut has long since departed.
Match Facts & Stats
last 6 results of this fixture
Football League One Walsall 5-1 Notts County 30-09-2000
Football League One Walsall 3-2 Notts County 18-09-1998
Football League One Walsall 3-1 Notts County 25-01-1997
Football League One Walsall 0-0 Notts County 10-02-1996
English Division 3 (old) Walsall 2-2 Notts County 07-10-1989
English Div 3 (old) Play-Off Walsall 1-1 Notts County
In total head to head encounters County have won 22 against our 17, although County have to go back to 1973 for a win in Walsall (1-3)
Countys last six league results
Notts County 2 – 1 Wrexham
Boston 3 – 3 Notts County
Notts County 0 – 1 Bury
Grimsby 0 – 2 Notts County
Notts County 1 – 2 Bristol Rovers
Mansfield 2 – 2 Notts County
Match Prediction:
Walsalls poor performances and the confidence sapping blow of Tuesday may put the saddlers on a back foot as the seek a positive reaction to the cup defeat.
However County don’t seem to lose away so a draw seems a likely outcome.
Next Fixtures:
Second round FA Cup tie…….whoops we have not got one so we could go and watch Tamworth or Stafford Rangers who made round two!!!
Otherwise we wait until tuesday 5th December to visit Bury at Gigg Lane 7-45pm kick off
