Walsall go to Shrewsbury

It shows how far we have dropped when we are looking forward to a local derby against Shrewsbury. Fresh in the memory are days out at Wolves, Birmingham, WBA, but in truth in days gone by games against our Shropshire rivals were more common.
Tuesdays game brings together the Saddlers who have yet to really shine out side Bescot, despite recording two wins two draws and one defeat in the five away league games. Shrewsbury are a hard nut to crack at home, drawing against Darlington on saturday having trounced Boston 5-0 at home although promotion rivals Lincoln stole the points with a 0-1 win. Shrewsbury will be hoping to bring some of the away form into the game having recorded two succesive 0-3 away wins against Hartlepool and Stockport County.

Despite another win that took us top, Dickie is still not happy with our away performances and especially with us defending deeper than required.
In the Shrewsbury camp they have been talking up the derby as the most important derby for the fans this season. The manager has been highlighting the 0-1 away win against Wrexham as the attitude to have, that game was described as a cup final and this is another one.

No new injuries have been reported so it could be the same again for the Shrews who seek to extend there unbeaten run to four games.

Ben started his career at Walsall and will no doubt want to prove a point. It was rumoured that his career was about to go full circle as Paul Merson penciled him in for a return to Bescot, but it didn't happen whether it was a change of manager or the finance which has made Shrewsbury one of the higher wage payers in the division we may never know.

Walsall seem certain to be without Ian Roper who will join James Constable on the side lines, long term injury victims Darren Wrack and Alex Nicholls are unlikely to be rushed back. The main area will be a re shuffle at the back with Anthony Gerrard back after suspension, a lot will depend on who Dickie fancies at right back Craig Pead or Chris Westwood. Midfield is unlikely to change although I feel the Keates/Dobson combination doesn't get the best out of either player.

three goals this season and only one start not bad for a centre half. Did enough on saturday to sugest that he will keep his place but may find Andy Cooke more of a handful.

Shrewsbury will be looking to bring there away form into the home fixtures.
Latest Results
Shrewsbury 2 - 2 Darlington
Hartlepool 0 - 3 Shrewsbury
Stockport 0 - 3 Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury 0 - 1 Lincoln
Bristol Rovers 1 - 0 Shrewsbury
Shrewsbury 5 - 0 Boston


League Table
Team P W D L GD Pts
5. MK Dons 10 6 1 3 4 19
6. Notts County 10 4 5 1 3 17
7. Torquay 10 4 5 1 3 17
8. Shrewsbury 9 4 3 2 10 15
9. Darlington 10 4 3 3 4 15
10. Wrexham 9 4 3 2 -2 15
11. Peterborough 10 4 2 4 -3 14

This is a game which means more to the fans than just points. Unfortunatly I think the Shrewsbury team maybe up for it more than us.....home win

Saturday brings Mansfield to Bescot, a game which will be used to celebrate the memory of Matt Gadsby

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