Fra saddlers hjemmeside:
Walsall vs Leeds United
Neil @ 12:34 pm Monday 17 August 2009
Is it too much to hope that Leeds fans will have learned some humility for what is now their third successive season at this level? Let’s hope so, as their silly posturing has been one of the least attractive parts of the last two years. Some of the pressure may well be off their fans, however, as certain elements amongst the newly relegated (notably Southampton) have proved to be equally obnoxious.
Walsall will be concentrating on their own problems, however. Three games, including one Cup tie, and two sendings off does not bode well. Both Rhys Weston and Dwayne Mattis are experienced enough not to have picked up a second yellow given the circumstances, Mattis especially, as the tackle was even in the opponents half of the pitch. Hutchings needs to address the outbreak of indiscipline before it gets to be a major problem. We are likely to miss Mattis tomorrow, as he was onr of the stars of last years win over Leeds.
The Manager’s main selection dilemma will be whether to bring back Weston, following his suspension, or leave in the impressive youngster Westlake, and who to bring in for Mattis. I think experience may well win out for this one and Weston will return, while Taundry’s ability in the tackle is likely to see him start ahead of Bradley or O’Keefe.
That would leave us with:
Ince, Weston, Smith, Hughes, Vincent, Till, Taundry, Richards, Jones, Parkin, Deeney.
What of the opposition?
Leeds fell disappointingly at the penultimate hurdle losing in the League One play-off semi-final after a campaign in which they were one of the favourites to make the top two. They started the season having lost the previous year’s play-off final and under Gary McAllister started reasonably well. However, by December they were knocked out of the FA Cup by non-league Histon and suffered five defeats on the bounce which cost McAllister his job and left Simon Grayson with the proverbial mountain to climb. He almost made it but despite his excellent efforts the season was a failure for the club.
They have kept very much the same squad as last season, with only Delph and Jonathan Douglas departing.
Dangermen?
The dangerous Beckford and Becchio have scored all three of their League goals this season and, if they should fail, they have plenty of firepower with their League Cup goalscorer, the 6 feet 5 inch Enoch Showumni.
Predictions?
I’m one of those who think we played well on Saturday prior to the sending off, in that Southend didn’t present any real threat. However, with a weakened midfield, I think we’ll do very well to preserve our undefeated home record against Leeds since their last relegation.
