It’s an early match preview this week, as your correspondent will be in hospital from tomorrow for three or four days.

After a two week break, following the FA Cup disaster, and a six day rest from training for the players, it’s back to League action for the Saddlers on Saturday with the visit of Chesterfield, currently safely in mid table, following their last day, single point escape from relegation last season.

Walsall should be nearing full strength for this fixture, although Toni Nhleko’s work permit still hasn’t arrived and looks like it will not be granted in time now. Ian Roper and Ryan Willetts both came through this week’s reserve game in one piece following their injuries, (although in view of the result, the may have wished they hadn’t), which leaves Richard McKinney as the only long term absentee. The game may have come a little too early for either of them to be considered for the squad, however.
Team selection should be interesting, as it is difficult to see what Merson is likely to change, despite his threats to do so, given his reluctance to alter the formation. Despite playing three wingers in the reserve fixture this week, we still used a 4 3 1 2 set up, with Herivelto in the “Merson” role.

As for Chesterfield, they will be looking for a double over the Saddlers, but the omens are not too good for them. Their defence is likely to be weakened, with Evatt and Blatherwick, their first choice centre back partnership, being unavailable. Evatt is suspended and Blatherwick had to come off injured at half time against Barnsley, having returned too quickly from an Achilles problem when the team had an illness crisis, and there is still no news about his fitness. One of the obvious replacements, young Aussie defender Aaron Downes, is also out, playing for his country. Manager Roy McFarland has said that he’s looking to bring in at least one player before Saturday, however, following midfielder Sammy Clingan’s return to Wolves at the end of his loan spell.

Chesterfield’s away record isn’t too inspiring, having played 13, won 2, drawn 4, lost 7, scored 12, conceded 20, giving a total of ten points and a goal difference of minus 8!
Despite the fact that we lost quite badly in the away fixture, with the injuries and suspensions that Chesterfield have, plus their less than inspiring away form, I’d have to go with a home win on this one, but this season, who knows? After all, they had similar defensive problems in the first fixture and it made little difference! As I can’t make the game, we’ll probably hammer them out of sight.