Walsall’s defender search-Plan B

Having confirmed our main defensive target is Richard Jackson from Derby, not a name which will set saddlers fans hearts racing. The news from Derby isn’t sounding great. As reported Richard has took a knock in training on thursday. Reports have come out that the injury may well be medial knee ligaments. What is unclear is the seriousness of the injury and the Derby medical staff are waiting for the swelling to go down and will then reasess and scan if required.

Ian Roper has suffered this injury in both extremes this season one minor strain kept him out for a week whilst his latest problem will rule him out for the majority of what remains of the season.

So with Chris Westwood feeling his hamstring and having to come off after 26 minutes on saturday, this leaves us light at the back. Alan Picken having recovered from knee surgery is now effected by tendonitis a common problem after a knee problem. DD is hopeful that Alan will play some part of the promotion run in but admits if that starts to look unlikely then a further defensive dip into the transfer market before the March dealine day seems likely.

The urgency to bring some experience into the back four is highlighted when the finishing back four consisted of a 19 year old and a bunch of 20 year olds. The experience of JJ and co at Darlington on saturday could be just too much for an inexperienced back four no matter what potential or talent they have.

So DD is looking at other options, it will be interesting to see what names come into the frame. As Richard Jackson didn’t fit the bill of his recent signings who in general have been players who have won promotion seen it all and got the T-SHIRT. However the one key factor I would like to see added to the back line is pace.

However the position of trialist Anthony Barness is unclear. A number of local newspapers are sugesting that we may well be offering the former Chelsae Bolton and Plymouth player a contract until the end of the season whilst other rumours coming out of the club seem to indicate that we will not be following up our interest.