Well, we’re safe at least! The welcome, hard fought and deserved home win by the ten men against Shrewsbury last time out not only gave us three points in a local derby (never to be sniffed at), but also, incredibly, sent us sailing past the 50 point mark, with just 24 of the 46 games gone. Normally, such a haul would see the team in first place running away with the League, but such is the uncompetitive nature of this division, that we still have three other clubs for company. That number has to be reduced to two (or less) as soon as possible, so winning the home games becomes vital. And so, on to Bristol Rovers.

Richard Money will have to make a decision as to who will replace the suspended Tommy Wright, following his sending off, but he has already suggested himself that it is likely to be Hector Sam. Sam’s form seems to be picking up again with the competition supplied by Wright and the pending arrival of Par Cederquist, so that may not be much of a disadvantage.

Dicky Dosh’s biggest headache is still likely to be central midfield. Even if Dean Keates does report in fit, it will be a difficult decision whether to bring him in for Craig Pead, in view of the former Coventry man’s second half performance against the Shrews. The other option, of Keates for Dobson, looks even more unlikely, as it would leave the central midfield looking far too lightweight. He has, of course, used Keates wide left before, but that didn’t work too well either! Darren Wrack should also be fit enough to play, if needed, so that’s another central midfield possibility. Who’d be a football manager?

Anthony Gerrard is still not allowed to play following his head injury against Boston, so it looks as if the defence, at least, will be unchanged. I’ll expect a starting line up of:

Ince, Westwood, Roper, Dann, Taylor, M Wright, Dobson, Pead, Fox, Sam, Butler.

The bench would then likely be:

Bossu, Keates, Demontagnac, Bedeau, Wrack.

Bristol Rovers Manager Paul Trollope has only one real injury worry, as it seems that 18 year old star striker Sean Rigg will still be missing after his notorious sock on the jaw in the FA Cup Tie against Barrow.

They do have several strikers on the books, but, despite that, it seems that goal scoring has been one of their major defects, with 22 goals from 24 games, compared with our 37, for example. Ex Villa youngster Richard Walker can always be a threat at this level, though.

Predictions?

The Gas come into this game in 12th position in the League, with 32 points from 24 games. Only 9 of those 32 have come away from home, however, where they have just 2 wins and 3 draws, so they do seem to struggle away from Bristol.

Walsall will be looking for a double here, of course, having won 2 – 1 at their place back in September, with goals from Scott ZiDann and Danny Fox. Both were headers and suggest that they may have a weakness from the set piece. We did, however, struggle in midfield in that game (as in many others away from home), so Dicky will need to consider his options there carefully. I’ll still go for a home win, however.