Walsall V Southend Preview

Well last season the whole first division seperated the two teams, Southend were flirting with the Championship whilst we were fighting our way back after our demise to league two. This season things are a lot closer. Whilst Southend are investing the money raised from the Freddie Eastwood sale in a quick return to the promise land, in truth our target is saftey and finding our feet in league one...anything else is a bonus.

Interesting talk from Roots Hall, firstly they are rumoured to be after our ex player James Constable from Kiddy...what was the sell on clause again.
Whilst there winger Tommy Black has been less than complemtary about the Saddlers saying that he knows nothing about us but expects Southend to run out easy winners and he expects on loan ex Dingle striker Leon Clarke to be on the score sheet!!!
If that wasn't bad enough, lets remember when Mr Black played for Palace against us winning a penalty by running into the back of Simon Osbourn the goal that resulted played a big part in both clubs short term future...that point would have kept us up, whilst the win got Palace into the play offs and up!!!

Walsall have been talking about youth, we will not be looking to replace broken leg victim Dwayne Mattis as we will be giving youth a chance, a number of players have grabbed the chance it now maybe the turn of another.

With the departure of Danny Sonner and Martin Butler, the long term injury to Alan Picken and the injuries to Darren Wrack and Paul Boetien aswell as Dwayne Mattis returning to Barnsley with a broken leg, the squad looks thin on the ground.
However we have a promising bunch of young players who have staked a claim for an extended run in the team.
After the draw at Tranmere the only question seems to be who will replace Dwayne, will striker Troy Denney come into midfield or will the pack be shuffled to either fit in Paul Hall moving Sonko into the middle or will one of the youth players come in.

Well after a shaky start Eddie is fast becoming a fans favorite, can he continue the vein of form which see's him been a star performer at this level.

Most likely same as for Southend, who suffered a blow when there regular keeper suffered a new back injury. In truth however Collis has stepped in and been as good.
In defence Clarke and Barrett provide a big strong barrier, pace up front maybe needed to unsettle them. In midfield Tommy Black try's to live up to his own pre match interview, whilst up front Sheff Wed and ex dingle Leon Clarke is on a rich goalscoring form.

Will he be hero or villian

Last visit Shaun Goater and Wayne Gray grabbed the goals in a 2-2 draw, and our performance at Southend was one of our better ones in a poor season,

Well recent history would see a lot of punters fancy an away win. However we are in a purple patch ourselves. In what I expect to be a close game I am going for a 2-1 win to the Saddlers

Next saturday we visit the sea side at Bournmouth a team at the bottom but with an improving injury list and having already invested in the loan market to pick up a couple of gems to help there league position. It will be harder than the league table suggests to avenge that cup defeat.

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