Well it might not as be as intimidating as the old Den, but Walsall go into the saturdays game with the same feeling as the christians must have felt as they entered the arena to face those roman Lions. It just could be that this little swift will be chewed up and spat out.
In truth this is the Darren Byfield memorial match in the fact that deep down both sets of fans had hoped that the striker would be setting the league alight for them, true to form the money for sitting on Bristol City’s bench proved more appealing!
This season finds both clubs struggling for form, of course the Saddlers are without a win whilst Millwalls pre season hope of promotion lies in tatters as they find themselves just above ourselves on four points.
Vital Quotes:
No silly comments about us been Millwalls worst nightmare this time round
Millwall Team News:
They are waiting to see if Shaw makes it back from injury but Zak Whitbread is suspended, otherwise it could be an unchanged Lions side as they seek to put right a lack of goals against the struggling Saddlers.
Player to watch: Chris Hackett
Don’t know too much about him but a Millwall suporting fan tells me if given the chance he could be a man on a mission so watch out Saddlers.
Walsall Team News:
We are missing Picken so whats new more importantly we are missing a win and a loss on saturday could further undermine confidence. So how will we approach this game…who knows but rumours are that Junior may start up front with Butler so Troy Deeney will be on the bench with Carlos Carnerio and Tommy Mooney both ruled out. Martin Dobson is unlikely to play following the death of his father so Wrack maybe start alongside Sonner in midfield. Sonko has returned from international week uninjured so will try to stack claim to a wing spot although Fox, Hall and Ishmel Demontagnac may have something to say about that.
The defence will try for another clean sheet and line up similar to saturday.
Player to watch: Junior
The trialist given a four month contract looks likely to be thrown into the deep end. If he fails to live up to his three goals in three games record for the reserves, we could find ourselves rock bottom and looking to get in a loan striker.
So lets hope he shows the form which earnt him the tag of the next Eusibo whilst at Benfica.
Match Facts & Stats
The Saddlers will be hoping to improve upon a record which has seen them lose 21 and win only 7 of the 34 games.
The previous match played between the two at The Den was more than three years back, in January 2004, the The Lions carving out a narrow 2 – 1 victory in a F.A. Cup match. Of course this game was a turning point as Denis Wise played his part in getting Jimmy Walker sent off and our season went down hill, so lets hope this will turn our disappointing start into a season of upward momentum
Ref Watch:
If it was down to refs I would say don’t turn up…we have a ref which despite been in charge of five games has let to see a Walsall win.
Match Prediction:
Everything points to a narrow win for the Lions… but the tide has to turn sometime but I fear not this saturday.
Next Fixtures:
Oldham at home next saturday. Enter stage left…Lee Hughes and Micheal Ricketts
