It’s back to League action for Walsall tonight, as they desperately try to improve their away form with a trip to Oldham Athletic. The Saddlers are 18th in the Division’s away form table, with 5 defeats from 9 games and that is not the kind of form that is likely to lead to a play off push.

Paul Merson has goalkeeper Joe Murphy (who, of course, failed to get a contract at Boundary Park after a trial in the Summer), Eric Skora and James Constable all available again after they were Cup Tied at the weekend, so his options will be increased, especially in the crucial midfield area. However, Mark Kinsella (calf) and Michael Standing (hamstring) are still not available following yet more injury problems and Merson himself is unlikely to be ready yet, so, with the continuing absence of Wrack (out for another few months) and Wright that means that experience there is limited.

Steve Staunton went off on Saturday another injury (calf and hamstring problems seem to be following him this season also) and is very doubtful, so Gerrard will get a call up to replace him, as Chris Westwood (hamstring) will be out for another couple of weeks.

Up front, there are fewer problems. It turns out that Larrosa picked up a knock towards the end of last week that kept him off the substitute’s bench for the last game, but is likely to be fit again, so all four strikers should be available.

As for Oldham, defender, Will Haining will be out for up to six weeks after injuring his hamstring at the weekend in the 1-1 FA Cup second round draw with Brentford and defender Chris Swailes will miss this game also.

Manager Ronnie Moore seems to be under some pressure from the Oldham fans, hardly surprisingly in view of the money he spent in the close season and the heightened expectations of the fans. He’s been quoted on their official site as saying:

“It will be a difficult game there is no doubt about that! This game is so important; and the start of what could be a massive week. If we can win these two games at home it will put us in the ideal position of where we want to be going into the Christmas period. It’s all about us, we know what we have to do and I would like to think that our front three can get out there and cause Walsall some problems.
We have to take the game straight to Walsall, our home form is not brilliant and we have to start winning games here, there is a certain fear factor amongst the players, they seem to feel more comfortable when playing in away games.
On Tuesday we have to go out there and just get on with it. We have to win the crowd over and get them on our side, the only way we can do that is by showing some effort passing, crossing and getting our shots in.”

Predictions? Oldham are in 16th place in the table and have won only four of their eight games at home in the League, losing the others. Their away record, however, means they are only one point behind Walsall, so this could be considered a key fixture for both teams. Like us, they score plenty of goals, but, like us, also leak them for fun. Despite our current decent run of clean sheets lately, we have conceded only two less than them (29 to 31). All in all, if Merson is serious about making a concerted push for the play-offs, then this is exactly the kind of game we need to take something from. Even a point would be welcome, considering the fact a then struggling Oldham side did the double over us last season. A 2 – 2 draw looks likely to me.