We do actually welcome Leeds to Walsall, and unlike some clubs in league one we bear them no ill wishes. Why simple really we have seen it all before, remember Forests first season in league one, or even our hopes of a swift return to the Championship following our last day demise. However the diffence is that Leeds United are a Championship team in waiting.
Whilst the much talked about 15 point deduction has been clawed back in magnificant style. The fact that the penalty imposed have the effect of galvanising the struggling club and the errors by manager Denis Wise and Ken Bates have been swept under carpet.
Whilst Ken Bates seems destined to revisit mistakes of the past as he trys to redevlope Chelsea village in yorkshire, we hope the Leeds team revisit the mistakes which saw them fall to the mighty Hereford and Bury this season.
Lets hope come 5pm on saturday it time for Taxi for Wise…….oh then again perhaps not, we don’t want another messy court case do we.
Vital Talk:
It’s Leeds and we have heard all the usual yawn yawn stuff this week. However one valid point from DD is the importance of our fans. Due to the large numbers of away visitors unlike last seasons one man and a dog there should be a cracking atmosphere saturday. Lets remember that due to the nature of the ground it is much easier for the away fans to generate a bit of volume…so our lads will need to be on tip top form on saturday to make themselves heard.
In a season of conslidation we need the points to ensure that magical 50 point mark is reached as soon as possible, yet our younger players are looking forward to pitting there wits against the experienced Leeds boys. As Scott Dann pointed out that our side which contained seven players under 21 are really boys against Leeds men
Walsall Team News:
Same old for Walsall no new injuries same midfield concerns with Dobbson and Boertien out.
The only change from our dismal tuesday performance will be the return of Peter Sweeney who was refused permission to play on Tuesday by Stoke.
Player to watch: Micheal Ricketts
Up against one of his old teams we hope Micheal will be on song. It is the nature of the man that he will be fantastic one minute and miss a sitter the next. We all hope that he can show his match winning creditals on saturday.
Leeds UTD Team News:
Tresor Kandol is suspended but looks likely to be replaced by Tore Andre Flo or Leon Constantine or Mark De Vries…..life’s hard comming out of administration!! Otherwise the team will show strenght all over the pitch.
Player to watch: David Prutton
Alongside Jonathon Douglas, David Prutton will be looking to provide the service to the front pair. However the ex Forest starlet has hit 3 goals in his 18 appearances so he might just hope to take advantage of our lack of central midfield experience. He has also picked up five bookings so far this season so the 27 year old doesn’t mind putting his foot in either.
Match Facts & Stats
Our only hope against the in team of the league One season seems to be our recent run of good results and clean sheets, but make no mistake we don’t go into this one as favorites.
Match Prediction:
One key factor will be how our young players react to the biggest gate at the Banks’s for a couple of seasons, will they grow and rise to the occasion or will they freeze?
If offered the draw I would take it
Next Fixtures:
22nd December Millwall at home 3pm kick off and Walsall’s festive fun day
Note Voucher in express and Star one adult and two kids for a tenner
