It’s a return fixture against Tranmere Rovers tomorrow and, hopefully, we can cope with their width a little better than last time.

Paul Merson said that he thought that there was nothing between the two sides at Bescot until Tranmere took the lead, if anything we had the edge. Personally I thought we had problems with their width, playing 3 5 2, from the start, but certainly agree with him that we were being over run in the last twenty minutes.

Walsall do have problems for tomorrow’s game. Ian Roper has had a re-occurrence of his injury in training and failed to make the reserve game in the week. Matt Fryatt is also out, with a hamstring strain, as is Richard McKinney with his long term knee problem still, so we have our usual problems covering in defence, with Paul McShane having returned to Old Trafford, and, with the non appearance of Toni Nhleko, in attack. Fortunately, Neil Emblen, a candidate for Player of the Season again already, seems to have recovered sufficiently from his long term achilles problem.

Tranmere themselves have problems, however. Club captain Jason McAteer (scorer of the first goal at Bescot) will miss the game after picking up a hamstring injury in their 5-1 win at Wrexham last week. Goalkeeper John Achterberg (knee) and striker Simon Haworth (leg) are also out. Centre back Ian Sharps, the man who might have ben sent off in the first half at Bescot, serves a one game suspension as a result of picking up five bookings, which may mean they move to a 4-4-2 formation.

Paul Merson has already identified Tranmere’s right wing back, Ryan Taylor, who got the second goal in the first fixture, as the danger man and has said he’ll be looking at ways of combating him. He seems to be hinting, at last, at a change in formation, especially with the striker shortage, and a move to 4 4 1 1, with a lone man up front. If he does, Robinson would be the better choice than Leitao from me, as that would suit his game better. However, as Tranmere have injury problems, they may play 4 4 2 themselves, which would need some quick thinking and another change of tactics!

Funnily enough, with the problems Tranmere do have, I’ve got a feeling for this one for a draw. Let’s hope so, with another away fixture next week!