A real 6 pointer on Saturday, an away game to Scunthorpe United is the next of the fixtures for Walsall. The Lincolnshire outfit sit one place below us in the league table. In recent years, Scunthorpe have some success. They have won promotion from division 3/League 2 twice. Firstly in 1998/99 and in 2004/05. They have also won promotion from League 1 recently on two separate occasions. Firstly in 2006/07 and then in 2008/09. Scunthorpe have a known history for selling forwards. These include Gary Hooper, Billy Sharp, Andy Keogh and Martin Paterson. All in all, this has brought in £6,200,000. In fact, Billy Sharp cost them just £100,000 from Sheffield United before selling him back to the club just two seasons later back for £2,000,000.
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Category Archives: Matchday Previews
Carlisle United (A) Match Preview
A second away game in a row for Walsall, a long trip up north to Carlisle United. The cumbrians, managed by Gregg Abbott, are sitting in 7th on the same points as Stevenage (in 6th) and are only outside the play-off spots due to a poor goal difference.
Carlisle have had some success in its 107 year history. They have won the English 3rd tier once in 1964/65. They have won the English 4th tier twice, in 1994/95 and 2005/06. They have dropped into the conference in recent times, getting promoted back into League 2 via the Play-Off’s in 2004/05. They are also the reigning Football League Trophy winners, beating Brentford in the final at Wembley.
Carlisle manager, Gregg Abbott, has been in charge since 2008. The former Bradford full back took over from Neil McDonald as caretaker manager. John Ward was appointed with Abbott returning to assistant manager. The pair lead Carlisle to the Play-Off finals, losing to Leeds on the day. After poor form, Ward was sacked and Abbott was once again put in caretaker charge. After a good November, Abbott was appointed as a full time manager. He has currently managed 180 games and has won 66 and losing just 49.
As you can imagine for a team in 7th, Carlisle have a strong team. Between the sticks is Adam Collin. The 27 year old started his career at Newcastle and has played for Workington before signing for Carlisle in early 2009. At the heart of the defence stands Peter Murphy, a center back who is only 5ft 11, a short height for a defender. However, having made over 370 appearances for the club. The 31 year old is not far of beating a record which has stood since 1979, 466 outings from United legend Alan Ross. Going forward, Lee Miller leads the attack. The tall and powerful front man, who signed from Middlesbrough in the summer has got 9 goals and 9 assists to his name so far this season. Aiding him in attack is Francois Zoko. The African signed in July 2010 and, since signing, has had a positive impact on the side. The pacey and skilful attacker will cause problems for the Walsall defence. A new signing for Carlisle, Jordan Cook, will be hoping to make an impact on the Carlisle side. The former Walsall loanee signed earlier in the week and will be facing his former side, the side whom he helped survive last season.
The Cumbrian side are in good form. They have won 3 and drawn 3 of the last 6 games. They have scored 15 goals, the second highest in the last 6 games but have also conceded 10. Walsall’s form is very mid-table form. We have won 1, drawn 4 and lost once in the last 6. However, we have only conceded 6, 3rd lowest in the league! However, with only scoring 6, it shows we struggle for goals but with Carlisle having a leaky defence, Walsall may be able to grab an away goal.
Carlisle have not lost since mid-November, a 1-0 loss to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. That’s a unbeaten run of 7 league games. After losing just 3 at home all season, Carlisle have a strong home record, picking up 21 points out of a possible 36.
Walsall, who sit just outside the relegation spot because of a decent (compared to our relegation rivals) goal difference. No win since boxing day, 4 games ago, means we have only picked up 3 points out of a possible 12 points. A decent away point to Brentford has put Walsall in high hopes going into the game.
Carlisle team is looking pretty strong. No new injury worries for Carlisle means a strong 11 will be fielded by Abbott, making this away game a tough ask for Walsall. Walsall have returned to full strength, former Carlisle winger Kevan hurst returned to training 2 weeks ago is ready to pull on the number 11 shirt for the 18th time this season.
Carlisle are in good form, Walsall are in OK form despite no wins in 4 games. For me, Carlisle will be expecting a win. Walsall are known to keep the better sides in the league at bay. A free scoring side against a side who don’t concede many. However, I feel Carlisle have a little to much for Walsall, a 2-1 win for Carlisle. However, if Walsall turn up and play football as we know we can, I can see us scraping a scrappy draw.
A second away game in a row for Walsall, a long trip up north to Carlisle United. The cumbrians, managed by Gregg Abbott, are sitting in 7th on the same points as Stevenage (in 6th) and are only outside the play-off spots due to a poor goal difference.
Brentford Preview
Griffin Park, the home of Brentford, is the next game for Walsall. The Bees, who were founded in 1889, are 8th in League 1, only 5 points from 6th spot. The west London team have spent most their history in League 1 and 2, but have spent some time in the top two divisions, having not done so since the early 90’s.
Walsall Matt’s Bournemouth Preview
2012’s first home game of the season is against Bournemouth, a team who are currently on the up. Bournemouth, nicknamed ‘The Cherries’ due to their kit until 1971, have been around since 1899 and have spent the most of their history in the bottom 2 divisions. Bournemouth are known for producing good your forwards, Sam Vokes and Brett Pittman to name two. Previous managers also include Tony Pulis, Eddie Howe, Sean O’Driscoll (his assistant been Richard O’Kelly) possible future England manager, Harry Redknapp.FA Cup Second Round – Dagenham and Redbridge Preview
I tend to always end these articles with, to paraphrase, ‘if we don’t beat these, we’re going to get relegated’ and then we lose. Well, I’ll start that way now. Because, seriously, if we can’t beat Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday, we might as well just give up now, lie down in front of our goal for the next few months and build for League Two.
Walsall Web-Fans Bury Home Preview
Irritatingly, Walsall couldn’t finish off Exeter last weekend. So now the squad has got a replay next Tuesday to worry – or not, perhaps – about. Although the game’s not particularly welcome, a home win might go a way in making the team more confident about beating their relegation rivals, albeit in the cup.
Exeter Vs Walsall FA Cup First Round preview
The Exeter match at home that Walsall didn’t win a few weeks ago, was, if not the most, then certainly one of the most disappointing results from the whole season. To recall, that Macken’s second half shot hit the post, so did Hurst’s shot and their goalkeeper made two very good saves, I came away thinking that, on another day, we would have won that match 4, 5-2. We didn’t.
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Huddersfield Town (A) Previewed and Discussed
For Walsall, tomorrow’s a chance to prove that, actually, we’re not that bad a side: whatever the circumstances last weekend, and however poor MK Dons were in the second half – and they were – Walsall, with a decent result at Huddersfield can put that to bed as they start a number of consecutive away matches, both in cup and league.
Walsall Web-Fans Exeter Home Preview
After, according to Mat Sadler in the Express and Star today, Walsall blew their chances against Tranmere, they need to go and beat Exeter. They do. Although it’s not entirely clear what the significance of Walsall only ‘winning one in ten games’ is, as they record in that newspaper – particularly since pre-Preston, they’d won none in eight – coming away with less than three points against Exeter might be a worrying sign and a sign of things to come.
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Walsall Web-Fans Tranmere Rovers Away Preview
I always have sympathy for clubs like Walsall, based in areas near clubs who have been more successful. Of course, we have mediocre ones near us: our, or the West Midlands’, last (and only) continental triumph was in 1982, when Aston Villa won the European Cup. Tranmere are both similar but slightly different: they have fewer competitors than Walsall do, just Everton and Liverpool, but those two can consistently pull in 30-40,000 spectators every week, unlike West Brom, say, who draw fewer. Liverpool and Everton’s dominance on Merseyside and near the Wirral is such that Tranmere sometimes play games on Friday evenings.
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AFC Bournemouth Vs Walsall – Match Preview
Deans Court is the next destination for Walsall, as we travel to Bournemouth for our 3rd away game of the season. Bournemouth had a brilliant first season back in League One after winning promotion back in the England’s 3rd tier just two seasons ago. Bournemouth have had it hard since 2007-2008 season. A seemingly average season for The Cherries soon turned into a nightmare after dropping into Admin in February 2008. A 10 point deduction was the penalty. This relegated them, meaning they had to play in the 4th tier of English football for the first time since 2002-2003 season. The start to the new campaign in 2008-09 season was no better. Another 17 point deduction meant they would only finish 21st,just above the drop zone, securing football league status on the final home game of the season with a win over Grimsby Town. The 2008-2009 season looked so much better for Bournemouth. Former manager Eddie Howe took charge of his first full season, guiding them to a 2nd place finish. After returning to League One, The Cherries finished 6th, amazingly reaching the play offs. Bournemouth played Huddersfield, drawing 1-1 at home. The return leg saw a 3-3 draw, Huddersfield winning 4-2 on penalties.
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WalsallFCMatt’s Matchday Preview – Yeovil Town (H)
Walsall’s next game sees the visit of Yeovil Town. The Southerners are a relatively new side to the English football league after winning promotion to League Two in 2003. Before that, they were known for their ‘giant killing’ acts in the FA Cup.
WalsallFCMatt’s Matchday Preview – Sheffield United (A)
After a 1-1 draw away to Hartlepool, Walsall head to Bramall lane to face League One new boys Sheffield United. The Yorkshire outfit were a top half Championship side since their relegation from the Premier League in 2007. Finishing 9th, 3rd and then 8th before finishing 23rd at the end of last season saw The Blades relegated to League One for the first time since 89-90. Having only spent 6 seasons outside England’s top two divisions, United will want to get back to the ‘big time’.
Shilts’s Matchday Preview – Hartlepool United vs Walsall
Peter Mandelson, monkey hanging, and Jeff Stelling. Three things associated with Hartlepool. Hopefully by the time 4.45pm on Saturday rolls around, we will have taken another three things belonging to the North East town back down south with us, namely some prized away league points. Walsall go into their fixture at Victoria Park having recorded a league win and a cup exit in their two games so far.
WalsallFCMatt’s Matchday Preview – Middlesbrough (H)
Walsall head into this League Cup encounter against Middlesbrough after a 1-0 win at home to Leyton Orient. Adam Chambers notched the winning goal in the 21st minute, a long range effort dipping into Lee Butchers’ top right hand corner. Middlesbrough started at home to Portsmouth, a hard fought 2-2 draw in front a crowd of over 18,000 fans.
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WalsallFCMatt’s Matchday Preview – Leyton Orient (H)
The newest member of our writing team, WalsallFCMatt, previews the League opener against Leyton Orient…
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TheSaddlers vs Sheffield Wednesday – The Great Escape Preview
It’s win or bust, quite literally. Sheff Wed followed by Oldham; six points is the goal and it isn’t entirely unrealistic, despite our lowly position. Plymouth’s defeat of Dagenham on Good Friday puts us in a better position mind, ensuring that our fate is once again very much in our hands. We can take some confidence from our performance last time out, despite falling to already promoted Brighton.
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TheSaddlers Vs Brighton – The Great Escape Preview
Tuesday night proved to be a special occasion, on two counts. Walker’s five hundredth appearance for Walsall was overshadowed by the well-earned victory over Brentford. Neither The Saddlers nor ‘Wacka’ will be celebrating just yet, though. Whilst the result is of great importance, there is still plenty of football to be played. A lot can happen between now and May.
TheSaddlers Vs Brentford Previewed
As I was saying, the survival race is all about want. Saturday, against Plymouth, we didn’t seem to want it whereas Plymouth did. That said we were equally as poor against Yeovil. We put it behind us in the best possible way reducing a two-nil deficit and turning it into a 5-2 victory over Hartlepool, as well as securing a deserved point in Milton Keynes.
TheSaddlers At Plymouth – Match Preview
Squeaky-bum time if ever there was on one in football. April; all’s there to be won, everything there to be lost. Form doesn’t really come into it as far as I am concerned; it’s merely a matter of want. Not surprisingly, a fair few of the teams at the bottom who couldn’t get a result for the life of them are doing exactly that when it really matters. Bristol Rovers looked out of it some weeks ago, look at them now.