Match Preview

Walsall v Bury

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As we bring the curtain down on another season it feels somewhat different than the past few years as we still have a slim chance of making the play offs.

We welcome relegated Bury to the Banks’s Stadium.

Vital Quotes:

Dean Smith We’ll be treating the game with the respect that it deserves. I went to watch Bury on Tuesday and they gave it a real go during the second half to get three points in the bag.

Their problems both on and off-the-pitch have been well-documented, but I saw their fighting spirit and we have to make sure that we’re at our best on Saturday’

Walsall Team News:

Skipper Andy Butler looks set to miss out again following his broken toe, Dean Holden will deputise.

Reliable full-back, Andy Taylor, misses out with a hamstring problem as James Chambers is set to continue in his place.

Player to watch: Febian Brandy

Considering Bury have given away 6 penalties this season we turn our heads to Febian Brandy to torment their backline and hopefully give Will Grigg a chance to add to his total.

Brandy has been in fantastic form this season and is surely a contender for Player Of The Year – it remains to be seen whether Brandy will return to WS1 next season but if he doesnt i’ll pay him the homage for our last home game as the man to watch.

Bury Team News:

Former Saddlers’ youngster, Andy Bishop was ruled out with an ankle injury, whilst Ethan Ebanks-Landell was laid low with a stomach bug.

The emerging Peterborough loanee, Jonson Clarke-Harris shook off a calf problem to score in the last game.

Former Saddlers’ man, Mark Hughes, will be in the heart of The Shakers’ back-line.

Player to watch: Steven Schumacher

I have always been a fan of Schumacher!

The midfielder has scored 8 goals from midfield in a poor Bury team this season and is probably the only bright spark.

Match Facts & Stats

Bury have won just 3 times on their travels this season and currently sit 24th in League 1. Their relegation was confirmed last week and were only able to name 2 substitutes on Tuesday night.

Walsall are unbeaten in 15 league games but have drawn 5 out the last 6.

Walsall have faced Bury 50 times in their history, winning just 12 and Bury winning 17.

Walsall havent beaten Bury at home since 1996.

Ref Watch:

Mr Darren Sheldrake is the man in the middle.

He has refereed 30 games this season and has given 104 yellow cards, 2 red cards and given away 8 penalties.

Match Prediction:

Given Bury’s away record this season then this is a game we should win. Actually rephrase that, this is a game we need to win!

I would go for same scoreline the last time we beat them at home, 3-1.

Next Fixtures:

Crewe v WALSALL 27.04.13
Bury v Yeovil 27.04.13

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