Swindon come to Bescot looking for their first success on Walsall soil since their golden era of 68/69, when nearly 11,000 turned up to watch the Don Rodgers inspired side that had defeated Arsenal in the League Cup final a month earlier. Desmond Decker was number one, Nixon was trying to quit Vietnam, and a young Phil Parks was in goal for the Saddlers.

Since then we’ve always managed to get something off the visiting Robins, but that’s about as much of a clue as anyone could have to predicting this game on their fixed odds.

Indeed, predicting the line up or formation of either side could prove difficult enough. Town currently have 5 players in on loan including winger Colin Heath from Man United who scored in last week’s win over Yeovil. He then supported lone striker Rory Fallon in an experimental 4-5-1 that failed to squeeze out a 0-0 draw at Tranmere.

Swindon boss Andy King took some stick for negative tactics in that game and may not be so cautious against the so far profligate Saddlers defence. He could turn to our old tormentor Jamie Cureton to partner Fallon, as was the case after Tranmere scored on Monday. Ominously, Cureton has yet to score for Swindon.

As for the Saddlers, well where do you start? Merson rates Staunton as very doubtful, but seems more optimistic about Fox who could return to a back four containing Gerrard and Westwood. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 3-5-2 with Fox or Roper replacing Bennett, enabling us to keep two up-front. Merson is quoted: “we had them watched on Monday and they were pretty poor”, suggesting an attacking approach.

The midfield permutations are even more mind boggling now Merson is back in the frame, with Smith, Wrack, and Wright having completed their “rests”.

About the only certainties are that Fryatt will be up front now his immediate future is decided, and Bennett will be suspended. Merson also ruled out a return to 4-4-2 after the Swansea game.

Prediction? There’s a bit of needle between the managers following King’s derogatory assessment of our win at the County Ground last season but these early kick-offs always seem to produce a low key game. With Swindon not having won away since February, and Saddlers at last having found some defensive steel I’ll be putting 1-0 home win on my coupon.

*Ref: Trevor Kettle – last seen by us at Cheltenham in the LDV. Averages a steady 6 cards per match and has dished out 10 in a match 4 times in the last two years. He had a busy time handling the televised Southampton/Wolves match on the opening day when he booked eight and sent off one.