Walsall face a daunting trip to Swansea this Sunday, two away draws give us hope of getting something
Vital Quotes:
Luck is not with new boss Kevan Broadhurst since the postponement against Bournemouth means his regin starts with three away games. The team itself has four consectutive away games. Two draws against promotion chasing Southend and Colchester has raised expectations we can grind out another point in our quest for survival.
Kevan Broadhurst has once again stated that the pressure is on Swansea, no one really expects Walsall to get anything except beat on Sunday.
Swansea Team News:
Kenny Jackett has some injury worries to contend with. Star striker Lee Trundle and defender Sam rickets both came off in Tuesdays 1-0 win over Colchester in the LDV first leg.
Kenny Jackett said about Trundle
”It’s a problem with his stomach he’s suffered with for a while.
Just like at Forest, he had to come straight off after hitting a shot but as yet we don’t know how long he will be out for.”
But since then has expressed hope he will be fit.
About Sam Ricketts he saidSam Ricketts was sick during the game but the Swans boss is hoping he’ll bounce back soon: He said:’It’s one of those things you get over pretty quickly with a couple of days in bed.’
There will be changes from Tuesdays game.Tommy Williams will be back as well as he was cup tied while O’Leary remains suspended. Austin is likely to miss again due to injury so Forbes could keep his place at right back, unless Ricketts is fit to play.
Kenny Jackett has also tried to bring in extra defensive cover.First a loan move for Gillinghams Brent Sancho hit trouble with work permit issues the a falling out between chairman has put the deal on ice (Scally strikes again). Now his attention has turned to Wolves player Keith Lowe who maybe signed in time to play against us.
Player to watch: Lee Trundle
Lee trundle needs no introduction really, but if fit he is the man to watch. Although Swansea have no shortage of power up front. Leon Knight, Rory Fallon would both get starting places in the Saddlers line up as would Tuesday nights goal scorer Akinfenwa. It will also be interesting to see ex saddler Martinez in midfield
Read more about Lee Trundle
http://www.walsall.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=12351
Walsall Team News:
Kevan has selection problems of his own. In defence Ian Roper is suspended, so Pablo Mills may move to centre back. A question mark over Daniel Fox means if he misses out midfielder Grant Smith may fill in again.
The postponement of the reserve fixture against Bradford means the number of injured players didn’t get chance to stake a claim for a placee or to prove fitness, so will KB take a chance.
Up front it looks unlikely the promised new striker will be here. Kevan commented
Unless something crops up late in the day, the gaffer will have to go with what he has got against the Swans although he is boosted by the return of Paul Devlin.
‘We’ve had no joy at all,’ he said. ‘We’re very, very, frustrated at the moment but that’s life. It’s one of those things in football, it’s not unusual and we’ll just get on with and work as hard as we can.
‘Paul Devlin is now fit so that is a big boost for us and it gives us another option.’
So I just hope he has more idea of the team line up than we do.
Player to watch: Scotts Fitzgerrald.
Fitzy, is sure to come good at some point. Could this be the game. The lack of service and the style of play in the last couple of games has not given our front players the chance to shine. With another striker comming in the pressure is on, he has had time to settle. We now need to see the goal threat his Watford record shows he is capable of.
Match Facts & Stats
Walsall without a win this year and without an away victory since September 24th must come into the game with one of the poorest records in the league. Having scored in only one of our last five games it is easy to see where the problem is.
In Swansea’s case goals are not a problem, although goals going in is more of an issue. The Swans have drawn there last four league games,including home draws against Huddersfield and Bradford. Tuesdays LDV win against Colchester broke the trend however.
stats from Swanseas last home game v Colchester LDV Area Final
http://www.swansea.vitalfootball.co.uk/stats.asp?a=12140
Our last league game against Swansea at Bescot, we were on the end of some excellent counter acttack play, every time we looked like scoring they did…..5-2 to the Swans. A 2-2 draw with a weak team in the LDV proved to be a more even game, our luck was out losing on penalties.
Ref Watch:
Iain Williamson
Qualified in 1991 progressed via the Rymans league to the national list in 2002.This season he has had 30 games giving 91 yellow cards and six reds. He was incharge of Swanseas 5-1 win against Chesterfield this season.
Last season he was more card happy giving 122 yellows and six reds in his 34 games. Including sending Ian Roper off in a poor performance at Torquay, as well as giving 5 yellows. He also was in charge of the Swans FA cup tie at Chelltenham the Swans won 3-1 in game with 5 yellows.
Match Prediction:
No matter what the heart says the facts point to a home win and we sink deeper into trouble.
Next Fixtures:
Friday 17th March 2006 TRANMERE (AWAY) 7.45 KO
