Rotherham United are redeveloping Millmoor at long last, so, presumably, it will only be stuck in the middle of scrapyards and not look like one as well.

Accordingly, they have announced that The Saddlers will be given an allocation of just 1,000 tickets for the opening game of the season on Saturday, August 6th.

The Official Site says that details of when the tickets will go on sale will be given as soon as they get them.

After proudly bringing you the squad numbers yesterday, we can do it again, as they have been amended!

1 ANDY OAKES
2 CRAIG PEAD
3 DANIEL FOX
4 ANTHONY GERRARD
5 CHRIS WESTWOOD
6 IAN ROPER
7 MICHAEL STANDING
8 SIMON OSBORN
9 JORGE LEITAO
10 PAUL MERSON
11 DARREN WRACK
12 MATTY FRYATT
14 MARK WRIGHT
15 KRIS TAYLOR
16 MARK KINSELLA
17 JULIAN BENNETT
18 JOE BROAD
19 TAIWO ATIENO
20 DARYL TAYLOR
21 DEAN COLEMAN
22 SEAN PLATT
23 JONNY HARKNESS
24 SCOTT DANN
25 LEROY WILLIAMS
26 LEE VAUGHAN

It would be interesting to find out who, out of Standing, Osborn and Wrack, objected to their original number!

The official squad numbers for 2005/2006 have been announced. They are:

1 ANDY OAKES
2 CRAIG PEAD
3 DANIEL FOX
4 ANTHONY GERRARD
5 CHRIS WESTWOOD
6 IAN ROPER
7 DARREN WRACK
8 MICHAEL STANDING
9 JORGE LEITAO
10 PAUL MERSON
11 SIMON OSBORN
12 MATTY FRYATT
14 MARK WRIGHT
15 KRIS TAYLOR
16 MARK KINSELLA
17 JULIAN BENNETT
18 JOE BROAD
19 TAIWO ATIENO
20 DARYL TAYLOR
21 DEAN COLEMAN
22 SEAN PLATT
23 JONNY HARKNESS
24 SCOTT DANN
25 LEROY WILLIAMS
26 LEE VAUGHAN

There are strong rumours that Walsall are to make at least one more signing within the next twenty four hours.

The news is expected to be released that an agreement has been reached with Southampton to again take attacking midfielder Andrew Surman on loan.

The youngster, who impressed during a long term loan last season, was expected to re-sign, until Southampton’s relegation cast some doubt upon the situation, but that now seems to have been resolved.

However, there have also been rumours that other signings may also be in the offing and we shall be watching the situation carefully as it develops.

Paul Merson is quoted in the Express & Star today that Julian Joachim let him down.

Merson has told the paper that Joachim did not keep his promise to keep Merson informed of any approaches by other clubs and that he would speak to Walsall first. Merson is saying that he knew nothing about the approach from Boston United, although he doesn’t blame the player for wanting to join his home town club.

It is now definately the time to draw a line under this one, as it shows every sign of running on and on, otherwise.

Walsall’s Favourite Spaniard Staying

Zigor Aranalde has signed a two year contract with Paul Simpson’s Carlisle United, following his release from Sheffield Wednesday. Love him or hate him, no one could ever criticise Zigor’s committment and it’s good to see him getting another club.

Paul Merson’s squad rebuilding plans for the Summer were completely disrupted today as “number one target” Julian Joachim decided to accept a two year contract offer with Boston United of the Second Division.

Joachim was educated in Boston, so he will be joining a club he knows well, but this is a surprise in that he will be joining a club in a lower Division. Even more surprisingly, it seems that Leeds United have done a deal on the termination of his contract with Boston, despite having refused to do the same for Walsall. Boston have also offered him a two year deal, which, in view of his injury record in recent seasons, seems very risky.

Joachim had told Paul Merson that he would not consider any other offers without speaking first to the Walsall Player-Manager, so this is a personal kick in the teeth for Merson too. Merson does seem to have been considering alternatives should the Joachim deal fall through, so, hopefully, everything is not lost.

We at UTS would like to extend a warm welcome to new signing Chris Westwood from all Saddlers, as he has put pen to paper this afternoon.

The imposing centre back, player of the season twice at Hartlepool in his six years there, is sure to be a valuable member of the squad, as he gives a wealth of experience at this level to what is, after all, a very young back four.

It is quite obvious from the reaction of Hartlepool fans on their message boards, that they were disappointed that Westwood has left and we can only hope his stay at Bescot is as successful as his time at the Victoria ground.

Ex Saddlers On The Move

In the meantime, Dean Keates, released by Kidderminster after their relegation, has joined Gary Birch at Lincoln City and Kiddie, in return, have aquired another ex Saddler in the shape of Wayne Evans.