Silkmen v Walsall (on Sky)

With the Sky camera’s watching and Paul Merson alongside Jeff Sterling, we will be keen to find out who will host Rochdale or Hartlepool in round two of the FA Cup.

Our last cup meeting at Moss Road saw us run out 7-0 winners, we can expect a harder game than that. Paul Ince has brought in some belief into the silkmen and in truth they looked neat and tidy in Walsalls league encounter at Bescot, walsall winning 2-0. It is upfront where they lack the cutting edge with only 15 goals in 17 games. Everything points to Walsall progressing but this is cup football and the camera’s are there to see the saddlers turned over.

Vital Quotes:

Whilst Walsall have been for a couple of days away training the talk from the Bescot camp is one of trying to show that we are worthy of our league toping position whilst expecting a tough game.
Paul Ince has been equally confident in stating that the Silkmen can beat the Saddlers.

Macclesfield Team News:

The macclesfield Rivals site have reported the following

Paul Ince has Jordan Hadfield available after he sat out the Wrexham game through suspension. The young midfielder is expected to go straight back into the starting XI.

Jamie Tolley is still recovering from a groin injury so won’t be able to play a part in tonights game.

There is still no official confirmation if our loan players are eligible to play this evening. Matty Tipton (Bury), Spencer Weir-Daley (Forest), John Murphy (Blackpool) and Simon Wiles (Blackpool) are the players in question.

Player to watch: Matty Tipton

Although it is unclear if Bury will allow Tippy to play especially as they are still in the cup if he does then they will be looking to him to help score the goals to knock us out.
Whilst a regular scorer in his previous spell at Moss Road he moved away and the goals dried up it his hoped they will return now he is back(on loan) at his old stomping ground.

Walsall Team News:

Walsall will still be without Alan Picken and Anthony Gerrard at the back, although Chris Westwood maybe fit to return following the calf injury that forced him off last saturday.Alex Nicholls contnues his rehab and may push for a place on the bench.
I would expect Walsall to field a similar side to last saturday, but Darren Wrack may push himself forward to partner Martin Butler.

Player to watch: Darren Wrack

Having made his first league start in 14 months Darren showed that when his match sharpness returns he could be vital to our promotion push.

Match Facts & Stats

Few meetings between the clubs gives a distorted feel to the stats, but for the record Walsall have the upper hand. Who can forget that 7-0 cup win even if Deano and Ropes are the only players at the club from the winning team.