Walsall take on Sheffield United tonight at The Banks’ Stadium, and ahead of the clash VitalWalsall got in touch with Blades fan and editor of www.sheffieldunited-mad.co.uk/ Jamie Furness, and asked him a few questions…
Is your season going as well as you expected so far?
In all honesty I couldn’t see it panning out as well as it has done so far. I thought we’d have a slow start and not gain enough points to even finish in the top six; I predicted a 9th place finish at the start of the season, but we will definitely be higher than that – hopefully the top two! Of course our ultimate expectations were to get promotion straight back to the Championship, and that seems to be on course at the moment.
Highlights of the season so far?
I wouldn’t say there’s been a particular highlight. I suppose winning at home comfortably many times gives fans great satisfaction. We’ve beat Colchester, Rochdale and Wycombe 3:0 at Bramall Lane, and also we hammered Bury and Yeovil 4:0. In fact, coming back from 2:0 down against yourselves to win 3:2 was very satisfying. Beating Huddersfield 1:0 at the Galpharm a couple of weeks ago was an invaluable victory! Drawing and losing both Steel City Derbies means those games can’t be a highlight, a victory in either would most certainly have been though.
Who are your key players in your opinion?
Ched Evans and Kevin McDonald. Unfortunately, Kevin McDonald is currently sidelined with an injury but, all being well, he’ll be back not before long. He passes the ball exquisitely and is our main playmaker. Meanwhile, Ched Evans has been on absolute fire this season – 22 goals in all competitions! He has a ferocious shot and is a real thorn for defenders. We have depth in the striking department; Ched Evans, Richard Cresswell, James Beattie, Will Hoskins and Chris Porter are all threats for any team.
Will you be attending the game?
Yes, I’ll be there.
Do you have any injuries that worry you ahead of the game?
None of our recognised back four are available, which is a massive worry. Matt Lowton (suspension), Harry Maguire (suspension), Neill Collins (family problems) and Lescinel Jean-Francois (swollen leg) are all out. I know all of them aren’t particularly injuries, but they are major misses. Maguire and Collins who have only missed ONE GAME all season between them. The aforementioned Kevin McDonald is out, and he is a big miss.
Performance and score predictions?
We will have to be very attack-minded, but we have been all season really, hence our lofty position in the league table. With an unpredictable and patched up defence I’ll say 1:1. A victory is what we all want though, to build on our promotion push and to wipe away the hurt from Saturday’s 3:2 home loss against Oldham!
VitalWalsall would like to thank Jamie and hope that he has a great day (except the result of course)
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