The Saddlers marched into the Carabao Cup Second Round following a convincing win over Tranmere last night.
It is the first time that Walsall have made the second round of a major cup competition since the 2015/16 season….you cant help us all feeling a little excited this morning!
From grinding out the victory against Plymouth, to coming from behind away from home against Scunthorpe, to ending our cup hoodoo at a ground that is renowned for cup upsets – all three games have required different mindsets from the players and we have come out on top in all three of them. It’s a long way away from the dross of the last two years!
The Saddlers have now registered fifty-two shots in our opening three games and a staggering twenty-three corners, who said Dean Keates was a defensive minded manager eh?
We understand that Tranmere made seven changes from the weekend but you can only beat what is in front of you and my god we did it with ease. The Saddlers now have a defence that is able to see a game out when needed, two pacey wingers that constantly ask questions of the opposition full backs and two strikers who quite rightly would annoy you as an opposition fan – it has all the makings of a side on the up.
Dean Keates made three changes from the side that got a point at Scunthorpe. Out went Liam Roberts, Nicky Devlin and Isaiah Osbourne and in came Chris Dunn, Kane Wilson and Liam Kinsella.
It was Tranmere who started off the better side. Ollie Banks in the centre of midfield was causing the Saddlers a problem and twice he hit the woodwork with long range efforts. However it was the Saddlers that took the lead. Morgan Ferrier powered his way into the box and placed a shot beyond the reach of George in the Tranmere goal. It took a slight deflection but take nothing away from Morgans finish. Ferrier has been outstanding in all three games and hopefully now he has got his first goal for the club he will continue to score goals that his all round game deserves.
Ferrier was then booked for his celebration which involved him just standing in front of the Kop with his arms open and winding up the Tranmere fans behind the goal – it was brilliant.
The Saddlers continued to put Tranmere on the back foot and got our second on the sixty-fourth minute. This was our third successive goal in the sixty-fourth minute (might be worth sticking a bet on that this weekend). Then the Saddlers wrapped the game up with the goal of the night from Zeli Ismail.
Ismail picked up the ball in his own half and ran with power and pace past the Tranmere defence to slot home past George.
We now wait for the Carabao Cup Second Round Draw which takes place on Thursday evening at seven o’clock. Anyone fancy another trip to Merseyside against Everton?
Whisper it quietly but we have our Walsall back!
