Paul Merson was accused of ‘devaluing the Carling Cup’ after his Walsall reserve side crashed to a 0-1 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough tonight. The Saddlers boss made ten changes to his side, handing debuts to defenders Ryan Willetts, Kofi Dakinah and Scott Dann and midfielder Joe Broad.
Wednesday won the match in the twentieth minute when Whelan won the ball from Gary Birch and crossed from deep. Former Bristol City striker Lee Peacock controlled the ball and fired past Mark Paston, who went on to make several super stops to keep Walsall in the game. Walsall’s best chance fell to winger Mark Wright, whose volley was turned around the post just after half time.
Walsall: Paston; Willetts, Dakinah, Aranalde (Capt), Taylor; Standing, Broad, Wright (McDermott 78); Merson; Birch, Atieno.
Subs: McKinney, Jameson, Dann, Williams, McDermott.