Walsall were sucked further into the relegation battle today after a feeble defeat away at Gillingham today.
Colin Lee made three changes after Saturday’s dire defeat against Burnley, dropping Leitao to the bench and Burley from the squad. The injured Ian Roper was replaced by Matt Carbon whilst Mark Wright and Steve Corica were also brought into the starting eleven.
Gills player-manager Andy Hessenthaler described the game as “the biggest in a long, long time” but Walsall never showed. Jimmy Walker made several fine stops with the pacy front two of Patrick Agyemang and Mamade Sidibe causing problem after problem. Chris Hope headed a corner against the bar and then it was his header which was helped over the line by Agyemang to give the Gills the lead on the stroke of half time.
Walsall sent on Leitao and Taylor for Merson and Andrews at half time but were unable to turn things around. Agyemang added a second after 67 minutes and diminutive midfielder Danny Spiller rose unmarked to head home a third at the death. Jermaine McSporran was again sent on on the left wing leaving many fans to wonder why Wycombe’s top scorer is not being given the chance to get the goals which Walsall need so crucially at the moment.
Jimmy Walker kept the score down with one of his best ever performances and Neil Emblen also defended well but few other players came out of the match with any credit. With Derby and Watford both snatching late winners, Walsall are now only two points away from the relegation zone and with tough games against Norwich, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace coming up, things are looking ominous.