Walsall welcome Yeovil to The Banks’s Stadium as we face the Glovers who have started the season with two defeats following their relegation from The Championship last term.
Vital Quotes:
Smith ‘Yeovil just came down from The Championship and as such will present us with another tough test. It will be a different kind of challenge to the one we face at the weekend, but if we can perform as we did on Saturday, we will give ourselves every chance of getting the result we desire’
Walsall Team News:
The injury list keeps piling up and we will be without James Chambers, Sam Mantom, Ben Purkiss and Matt Preston.
Dean Holden will deputise for the injured Chambers.
Player to watch: Billy Clifford
The former Chelsea youngster was given his first full debut on Saturday and showed class from start to finish. His hunger and determination to get on the ball and go forward is something we need in the final third.
Give him a longer contract!
Yeovil Team News:
Gary Johnson is likely to make some changes after another defeat on Saturday with Brendan Moloney, Sam Foley and Sam Hoskins all possibilities to start.
Player to watch: Simon Gillett
Gillett was a former Saddler loanee having joined the club for one month in 2005.
Since then Gillett has played Championship football with Doncaster and Nottingham Forest and he has scored the Glovers only goal so far this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Walsall have not beaten Yeovil in seven attempts. Our last victory over the Glovers was in 2009 – a 3-1 win, thanks to goals from Darren Byfield, Sam Parkin and Steve Jones.
We have won 6, drew 7 and lost 7 when we have faced Yeovil.
Walsall are undefeated so far this term, winning the League Cup match and drawing our two league games. Yeovil on the other hand have lost both league games and lost their League Cup game.
Ref Watch:
Mr J Simpson (Lancashire) is the man in the middle.
He has officiated three Walsall games in his career – all draws! Our 1-1 draw away at Colchester, our 2-2 draw with Crawley and our 0-0 draw with Tranmere.
Match Prediction:
Given Yeovil’s poor start to the season, this is one we need to win.
I predict a 2-0 victory with Bradshaw and Sawyers getting the goals.
Next Fixtures:
23.08.14 – YEOVIL v Scunthorpe
23.08.14- Leyton Orient v WALSALL
