Nothing to lose everything to gain

So new manager, new hope and a new ground for some of our newer fans. The footballing world will expect a heavy defeat for the Saddlers, but can we buck the trend..........

Southend has never been a ground, which I have look forward to, although I can't quite put my finger on why. Perhaps its just distant memories of poor football from both teams and the ex Saddler Roy McDonough as Southend's player manager. The fortunes of both clubs since that dark night have been poles apart. Southend languishing in the lower leagues whilst we enjoyed an all too brief trips to the championship via the magnificent Millennium Stadium. However in recent times Southend have been no strangers to Cardiff themselves with LDV finals and play off success last May. With the goals of Freddy Eastwood and the organisation and defensive qualities which seem a key to success in league we could both be leaving league one but in opposite directions.

Despite the away draw at Colchester, the long run without an away win and the shadow of the 5-0 thumping at Brentford still weighs heavy on the shoulders of all Saddlers. Only a heavy defeat seems the likely out come of the game. A draw would feel like a victory, yet our league position means we really need more.

So can we pull off the shock result of the weekend?. Although my heart says we can fight, we can play without the pressure of expectation and perhaps the appointment of the new manager will motivate the lads, I still can't see it though. The fragile confidence of recent weeks to me suggests that if we go a goal down our lack of firepower means we have no way back. Southend who scored four at play off contenders Chesterfield last week will surely have too much about them to allow a shock.

Team news gives glimmer of hope with last weeks hat trick hero Freddy Eastwood suspended, whilst Walsall's injury duo Danny Fox and Mads Timm face late tests . However Westwood still sits the game out as does the suspended Paul Devlin. Its hard to predict the Saddlers line up with new thinking at the top, although I would imagine Kevan Broadhurst's old mate Mick Halsall will have a strong input.

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