Well, where do you start with this one?

I suppose it’d better be with Merthyr itself!

Merthyr Tydfil is located in the heart of South East Wales at the head of the Taff Vale - the natural gateway to the Brecon Beacons.
In the early part of the 19th century, Merthyr Tydfil was the largest town in Wales. People moved into it from far and wide to work in the iron works that were the reason for it’s existence. The iron and steel industry has long since died, along with the South Wales coal fields and the town has never really recovered.

So what of the football team?

They were formed in 1909 and were even in the Football League between 1920 and 1930, but the decline in the local industries led to a decline in the fortunes of the club. They languished around in the lower reaches of non league football until a late flowering in the late eighties saw them on the brink of the Football League again and Welsh Cup victories. By 1997 however, they had slumped again and were in receivership. They were then brought by current owner Wyn Holloway and began a slow climb back, with a great deal of co operation from the Supporter’s Trust to the point where they are now planning a 12,000 seat stadium.

This season, they are lying seventh in the Southern Premier, with games in hand on the teams above them, thanks to the Cup run. Of their 9 home games, they’ve won 7, lost 1, drawn 1. Top scorer is Steins, with 10 goals in 17 appearances. He was signed from Leeds, got 22 goals last season and was the player of the season.

What about the Saddlers?

One word. Slough. Last season’s first round defeat at the hands of a team in an even lower Division than Merthyr still hurts. This time, the club cannot afford any repetition, especially with the game being live on Sky and Radio 5 Live. Certainly it is difficult to see how the Manager could survive any defeat this time around.

The camp have been putting forward strange vibes all week, with the desperate (and futile) attempts to sign a goalkeeper and with comments about only having 10 fit outfield players and five “youth teamers” on the bench. The Saddlers ought to be lining up something like:

Gillmartin, Gerrard, Bennett, Roper, Fox, Standing, Kinsella, Taylor, Demontagnac, Leitao and Fryatt, with Staunton, Broad, Tilt and Stzybel on the bench, with one other and, quite frankly, that ought to be a good enough side to win at Merthyr. Merson has, however, said that he wants as much experience on the pitch as possible, so the line up may look very strange! Danny Fox will captain the side.

Predictions? Gave that up long ago, but anything other than a win is unacceptable.