For the second year running, the fans are doing their part to lift the team out of the mire it finds itself in, with the declaration of Operation Red Hot, so now it’s up to the players to do their bit. (If you don’t know about it yet, see the story below!).

Walsall are almost certainly to be without Mark Kinsella for the game. He was hoping to play for the reserves in the week, in an attempt to gain match fitness, but that game was called off. A place on the bench would be the most we could expect. Leitao has a back problem, but should be available, and Merson himself picked up a knock on Monday and is talking about playing with pain killing injections. Julian Bennett is out for the rest of the season, so Neil Emblen’s fitness is also a worry, as he also has had problems this week. He should be OK, though.

Merson’s major selection problems are the formation – he was talking after the Barnsley game about 4 4 2, with himself on the left wing – up front – which two out of Leitao, Fryatt and Joachim – in goal – where Murphy’s return from International duty and Oakes’ mistakes in the last two games also mean a choice – defence – which pairing out of Emblen, Roper and Gerrard and which out of Pead and Wright at full back - and midfield, where he has numerous options.

As for Torquay, they should be almost at full strength for the game. Taken off on Monday against Luton Town, forward Tony Bedeau will be out for 3 weeks with a hamstring injury, while defender Brian McGlinchey remains sidelined for several more weeks with a back problem. Apart from those two, they have reported no injury problems ahead of the match.

Bedeau is likely to be replaced by former Peterborough forward Leon Constantine, which means that their two leading scorers will be partnered together, Constantine having 8 goals and Adebayo Akinfenwa 11.

As for their record this season, they are, of course, two places and six points behind us in the table, with an overall record of:-

Played 40, Won 8, Drawn 14, Lost 18, Points 38.

Hardly the most inspiring of records, but the stats show that they can be dangerous away from Plainmoor:-

Played 20, Won 3, Drawn 9, Lost 8, Points 18.

In the away table, they are seven points and 6 places better off than we are and ahead of our last Bescot opponents, Oldham, and look what happened there!

Predictions? The fans should help with their efforts, disappointing as it is that it is even needed two years in succession and, let’s face it, Torquay are a poor side, despite the occasional good away performance. Even after being 2 – 0 up away at Sheffield Wednesday, they caved in for a draw in the end. One curious stat about them is that they have taken the lead more times than just about anyone else this season, only to end up losing or drawing the game - and there lies the main danger. They can score goals and, should they take the lead, nerves may play a part and the crowd may get quietened. All the same, I would confidently expect a Walsall home win. 3 – 1 to the Saddlers.

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