Walsall didn’t deserve to lose the game, but didn’t deserve to win either, so Wade Elliot’s last minute equaliser for Bournemouth assured both teams were satisfied with the result, one more so than the other.

If we are to contend as Champions this year we can’t afford to drop points against lower opposition, the way Walsall lined up and played today would gain an acceceptable result in midweek against West Ham.
Walsall started with a negative, defensive team, leaving playmaker Gabby Bukran out, aswell as the impressive Jorge Leitao.

The Saddlers started the brighter team, with Walsall’s defence again firm with Andy Tillson looking after well-built Cherries forward Steve Fletcher well. However Walsall’s central midfield pairing of Keates and Bennett failed to feed the wings, and other than Keates’ early drive and a deflected Bournemouth effort, very little happened in the opening 25 minutes.

Walsall broke the deadlock on 26 minutes when a deep right-wing cross found Brett Angell who with the aid of a defender steered a header home past Gareth Stewert. After the goal Bournemouth pressed Walsall but were detered by more good defensive play by the back four, the home team came close on 43 minutes as Angell, otherwise quiet, headed just over. The half ended with the Reds one goal to the good.

Walsall attempted to add to the lead after the break, but were lacking up-front with wingers Paul Hall and Pedro Matias showing they could squeeze in chances but being badly underfed, therefor Darren Byfield wasn’t getting any ball, and if Brett Angell did, his control was awful.

A series of subsutitutions followed to attempt to subdue Bournemouth’s gallant attempt to level the score, but Graydon chose to pack midfield, and rather than replace the inaffective Angell with Leitao, he took off Byfield, and finally replaced Angell with Bukran.
Gabby nearly made an instant impression when he headed through for Matais to clip just over the bar, but Walsall were forced to sit back an defend their lead, as apposed to adding to it.

The Saddlers held out and a great save from Walker from a long range effort seemed to settle the game, until the last minute when, eventually, Bournemouth deservedly leveled.
A long range effort hit both posts, Walker amazingly saved the rebound, before Elliot poked home from a yard out.

At home against a struggling team Walsall should have taken the game to Bournemouth, as it was we played with two defensive midfielders and an ball-winning, strong centre forward, who was not performing but was keeping another quality striker on the bench.

Serious questions can be posed to the attitude Walsall took to this
game, amazingly we still lead the table, but the pack are closing in.