Walsall are sinking faster than the Titanic – and tonight’s 1-3 home defeat to Sunderland leaves us hovering dangerously on the edge of the relegation zone. Julio Arca had smashed the Mackems into a first half lead before Neil Emblen nodded home an equaliser. Kevin Kyle restored Sunderland’s lead a minute later before Marcus Stewart sealed victory for Mick McCarthy’s men.
Colin Lee and/or Paul Bracewell made two changes from Saturday’s defeat to Wigan, bringing in Samways and Wrack for the injured Carbon and Kris Taylor – who, somewhat surprisingly, failed even to make the bench. Birch was also omitted from the squad whilst Gavin Caines – a young central defender – made the bench.
Walsall began brightly but Sunderland forged ahead after only 17 minutes when a loose ball fell to Arca on the left hand side of the area and he fizzed a volley past Walker into the net. Walsall seemed to be lacking in ideas, with Aranalde isolated down the left and Wrack – clearly injured – reluctant to venture forward on the right. Wrack was forced off by injury at half time and replaced by Mark Wright. Steve Corica –also just back from injury – lasted for even less and was replaced by Saturday’s villain, Matias.
After the break, Sunderland almost made it 2-0 but somehow, Jimmy Walker miraculously turned Kyle’s header onto the bar and then the Saddlers restored parity. A corner was cleared as far as Matias, who flashed a volley across goal which Emblen nodded past Poom. Immediately Sunderland hit back; sleepy Saddlers were caught out by a short corner and Kyle – who had spent most of the game lying on the ground appealing for and getting free kicks – nodded Oster’s cross into the net.
Bracewell threw on Fryatt for Samways as Walsall switched to a 4-3-3 formation in search of an equaliser. Nine minute from time, Sunderland secured the points when Stewart fired home from a McAteer cross. Walsall continued to press and Paul Ritchie struck the bar with a towering header whilst Leitao managed to spurn a late chance when clean through. Darren Byfield made a late appearance for Sunderland and was roundly booed – who remembers that Cardiff day three years ago when a certain centre forward fired home a stunning winner to get us to the position which today’s team seem set to squander? Darren Byfield? If only we still had him…
Things are looking dire at Bescot and little can be expected from next week’s match at West Ham. Walsall are increasingly in danger of going down – and what is most disappointing is that they seem to be going down without a fight. One bright spark was Matty Fryatt, who battled for everything during his 20 minute substitute spell and looks to have a real future in the game…hopefully at Bescot in the first division.