Saddlers on tour-Boston

A dream fixture for the producers of Soccer am, the only American team in the football league against the team from Poland!
In what is set to be a cold foggy Boston both teams find themselves hit with suspensions and injuries so it could really boil down to who wants it more.

Vital Quotes:

After a whole half season of managers saying horrible things about the Saddlers Boston manager has come out with some praise and compliments….mind games to thing they will roll over if you ask me.
Also talking about saturdays game, He told bufc.co.uk: “We have been without influential players throughout the season and not once have I had everybody available for selection.

“Injuries and suspensions will hit us hard again on Saturday, with possibly six first team players ruled out, but we will patch ourselves up and try to beat the league leaders.

“In no way will that be easy, but the lads have showed a fantastic fighting spirit in recent weeks and I`m calling on them to repeat that again when we face Walsall on Saturday. Walsall are an excellent side, with a number of top class individuals, but if we perform, we are capable of matching the best around.

Boston Team News:

In recent seasons we might have been talking about Noel Whelan, Jason Lee, and good old JJ. However they have now been forced to cut there cloth in the light of financial difficulties and the councils initial refusual for them to move grounds.
Saturday,four players will definitely miss out, with Drewe Broughton and David Galbraith serving suspensions and Stewart Talbot and Simon Rusk still ruled out by long-term injuries.
In defence they have more injury issues,Miller (knee) was substituted during last weekend`s 1-0 win over Torquay United, while fellow defender Canoville (hamstring) sat out the fixture on the English Riviera. Boston boss Steve Evans is hopeful that at least one of the duo will be fit in time to face the current table-toppers, but 17-year-old Jamie Stevens is on standby to deputise.
However the miss of Drew Broughton will be the biggest miss as Evans describes him as the focal point of the attack which beat Wrexham 4-0 and Torquay 1-0 in the last two games…confidence will be high.

Player to watch: Dany N`Guessan

French winger Dany N`Guessan joined Boston United from Glasgow Rangers in August 2006 and promptly made his Pilgrims` debut against Shrewsbury Town at Gay Meadow.

The powerful 19-year-old arrived at the Staffsmart Stadium with a good pedigree, after being signed by Rangers one year earlier for £150,000 from Auxerre. The Gers beat off reported interest from the likes of Manchester United and Marseille to land the services of the young Frenchman.

N`Guessan notched his first goal for the Pilgrims in the 2-1 league defeat at Hartlepool United on September 1.

N`Guessan will remain at the Staffsmart Stadium until January 2007.
Info from Boston United official site

Walsall Team News:

Butler and Roper will be missing due to the yellow card against wrexham making five. Alan Picken is still out although Darren Wrack maybe fit enough to return to the squad. In midfield Michael Dobson is hopeful but still uncertain to make the squad. Dean Keates has stepped up training and we are waiting to see if there is any reaction. Up front Alex Nicholls was carried off in the behind closed doors game at Coventry leaving a likely Hector Sam and Tommy Wright combination up front.

Player to watch: Tommy Wright

It is comming to make or break time if Tommy is to seal a January move to Bescot. Started with a fine debut against Notts County along with a goal. This was followed by poor performances against Bury and Swindon, resulting in a drop to the bench for the Wrexham game only for him to come off the bench and miss the chance to gain all three points, Now he has a second chance he needs to put in a match winning performance.

Match Facts & Stats

This is the first competitive meeting between the two clubs so history is a bit thin on the ground.

Ref Watch:

Mr F Graham
seems to flit between conference and football league has not beeen too impressive in his encounters with Walsall, but Boston will be happy his last appearance at York Street was 3-1 win against Darlington.