The Saddlers look to continue their run of good form this weekend at home as they entertain Essex’s finest, Southend Utd. The Shrimpers themselves have their eyes on promotion, a new stadium, selling a 16-year old to Man U and maybe mounting a smash and grab raid on Walsall, not necessarily in that order.

Southend Manager Steve Tilson has avoided the manager of the month curse thus far, missing out to Dennis Wise at the last, and will be counting his lucky stars no doubt. His squad is fully fit, and despite rumours that they employ a sumo in the forwards, their biggest threat is likely to be loanee Leon Clarke from the Wendies, whose career includes a spell at the custard bowl, making him an ideal target for the dingle-hating boo boys of the lower ASBO. Clarke’s scored six in seven starts so far, and features in the assists too, although their goals do come from all over at the moment.

At the other end of their pitch, a keeper under six foot may draw comparisons with a certain ex-keeper of ours, and while they’re scoring a lot, they ship almost as many. We can draw comfort from the fact that their away form is as patchy as our home, at least in terms of results, and our opponents last weekend, Tranmere, turned them over on their own turf which may give us a hierarchy advantage at least.

At the Banks’s, Dickie Dosh has to make a hard choice regarding formation and personnel, after Dwayne Mattis had his loan spell ended by a broken leg. What to do with the midfield will be the question he’s pondering, and we’ll not make a guess at the result till we see whether or not anyone else is brought into the mix before the weekend. Sadly the BBC sport headline ‘Walsall sign biggest in Europe’ proved not to be the resolution we expected.

Otherwise fine, the Saddlers could well be unchanged from last week’s starting XI, as Money’s early season perming settles into a relatively solid starting side and bench, injuries permitting.

After demolishing Willenhall Town, Walsall have been drawn away against Sutton Coldfield FC in the BSC.  The Royals are on fire at the moment and this could be an interesting match.  Game to played in week commencing 19 November.

Something approximating service may be resumed shortly.

What a difference there is our in fortunes all of a sudden. First of all there was the hard fought and unexpected win at Hartlepool, then the superb second half performance to finish off Doncaster, then the total and clinical demolition of Huddersfield. The Saddlers will be brimming with confidence as they set out to the home of the plastic Scousers, Tranmere Rovers. The trouble is, they are a team in form and lead the Division into the game. This is going to be a true test of our credentials in this League.

The signs are that Richard Money will be keeping the same side for the game, which comes as no surprise. It’s not just the quality of the last two performances, especially, but also the fact that we are a little short in places. Darren Wrack is still a week or so away from fitness, Paul Boertien four or more and long term victims Carneiro and Picken show no sign of showing up yet. On top of that, Martin Butler looks to have played his last game for the club, unless there is a massive change in attitudes all around and Ian Roper seems to be struggling to find any form for the reserves.

That gives a starting XI of:

Ince, Weston, Dann, Gerrard, Fox, Sonko, Mattis, Dobson, Bradley, Demontagnac and Mooney.

The bench is a little more problematical, but Bossu, Roper, Deeney, Hall, McDermott and Taundry will all be looking to be involved, so pick any five.

Tranmere Manager Ronnie Moore will be missing striker Chris Greenacre, in all probability, as he has been suffering form a virus and wasn’t fit for their last league game, the win at Southend. Moore played a 4 5 1 in that game and said that he might well keep that as his first choice formation, so the midfield is likely to get a bit crowded!

Other names that will be familiar to the older Saddlers are former loanee Chris Shuker, former Forest striker Gareth Taylor, man mountain Calvin Zola and experienced defenders Robbie Stockdale (ex Middlesbrough) and Ben Chorley (M K Dongles).

Predictions?

Rovers go into this one in first place. However, they have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 1 at home, while winning three and drawing two away from home. Their weaker home record must mean that we have a chance, but it has to be remembered that four wins on the bounce (or even three wins and a draw) isn’t something that’s achieved very often. I’d be very happy with a point.

After a magnificent performance against Huddersfield, it’s no wonder we managed to get two players in the League 1 team of the week. The big surprise is that it is two defenders!

Rhys Weston’s near faultless exhibition on his return to the side and Anthony Gerrard’s commanding one alongside Scott Dann has seen them both chosen for the honour.

Congratulations to both!

Those who expect their teams to play 100 miles an hour attacking football from the first minute got the perfect lesson in the way teams should go about demolishing the opposition at the Banks’s yesterday. Richard Money’s team spent 45 minute earning the right to play against Huddersfield before taking them apart in a scintillating exhibition of attacking in the second half.

Huddersfield are likely to end up as a mid to lower mid table team this season and the fact that they were completely unable to live with the Saddlers yesterday was very, very encouraging.

Money, after much thought, by his own admission, went for the unchanged option, so Walsall lined up:

Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Dann, Fox, Sonko, Mattis, Dobson, Bradley, Demontagnac, Mooney with subs of:

Bossu, Hall, Deeney, McDermott and Taundry (there was no mention on who was changing the nappies for over half of the bench!).

Money had been worried, apparently, that the 4 5 1 formation would be seen as too negative at home. What it did is stifle Huddersfield as an attacking force completely in the first half, as the awkward Beckett and Kamara got scant opportunity. They did have one long range effort sail comfortably over in the first minute, whilst Beckett hit the side netting with a chance that was well covered and Ince had his one save to make from a header late on in the half. Even with a cautious approach, it was different at the other end though.

First Mooney got clear from a terrible back pass, only for the ‘keeper to block the one on one chance, then Demontagnac, doing his defensive duties, produced a peach of a pass for Mooney, who sent Sonko through, but he shot wide.

Another lovely move gave Sonko another chance and he shot narrowly wide, but you always felt that the goal was gong to arrive. It did when Mattis was fouled wide right and Fox’s wicked inswinging free kick was glanced home by Gerrard for his first of the season.

The advantage was doubled shortly before half time when Mooney who lead the line superbly, put Sonko through again and he bided his time to draw the ‘keeper before picking his spot and lashing the ball into the roof of the net with his left foot.

Just before the break, there was an important incident for what was to come when Ishy caught Frank Sinclair with a challenge. Ishy immediately offered his hand to apologise and then kept his temper brilliantly when the experienced defender lost his head and grabbed the youngster by the collar. Ishy got a yellow, which was undeserved unless it was for the challenge, but Sinclair was very, very fortunate to stay on.

During the second 45, we pulverised them. From the moment, five minutes in, when Bradley was left completely unmarked three yards out to fire home Gerrard’s header back across goal, there was only going to be one outcome. The passing was slick, the back four incredibly solid (and incredibly well protected by Dobson), while Mattis, Bradley, Sonko and Deemontagnac ran riot as Mooney held the ball up for them to join.

For the record, Sinclair saw red for a trip on Demontagnac which earned him a second yellow, before Bradley mistimed a header at goal right onto Mooney’s head and he nodded the ball over the ‘keeper’s head for number four.

Hall replaced Demontagnac, shortly after a cynical assault by Wallwork which looked to be intended to take the player out, as he raked his studs down the back of Ishy’s leg (the ref, as with a lot of things, never saw it), but that made little difference and McDermott came on for the tiring Sonko to give a lovely little cameo of silky running skills. Deeney also replaced Mooney, presumably to help keep him fresh, and found time to break clear and hit the post with the last kick of the game.

The sponsors gave the Man of the Match to Bradley, but it could have gone to any of the outfield players. Gerrard and Dann had their physical strikers in their pockets all afternoon, Weston (obviously benefiting from the shake up of being dropped) and Fox were outstanding, in defence and attack, the midfield unit was solid in defence and exciting in attack and Mooney was just superb in the lone striker role.

All in all, a near perfect performance - I wasn’t sure whether to sing “It’s Just Like Watching Brazil”, or “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, as the news came through from Marseilles!

A week may be a long time in politics, but it’s a complete lifetime in football. Last Friday, I was writing a preview when we were bottom of the table and facing the prospect of a really tough away game at third placed Hartlepool, thirsting for revenge after we beat them to the title last season and, seven days and two superb away wins later, we are in mid table and looking for a home win that could put us close to the play off positions. Daft isn’t it? Just goes to prove that it really is a marathon . . . . . .

Darren Wrack picked up an injury on Tuesday which will see him out for three or four weeks, so a change will be needed at the back. Apart from that, there is likely to be a change from 4 5 1 to 4 4 2 with Deeney in for Bradley for the home game. One thing that is almost certain is that Butler will not feature in the 16, as he is frozen out of the picture.

One man almost certainly relishing the fixture will be Dwayne Mattis, who started his career at Huddersfield, where he played 67 games before moving to Bury.

That gives us a probable line up of:

Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Dann, Fox, Sonko, Dobson, Mattis, Demontagnac, Deeney, Mooney.

Huddersfield are sitting just ahead of us in the table after an average start to the season. Their goalscoring star so far this season has been the perennial under achiever Danny Cadamarteri, but he’ll be missing after a red card. They do, however, have some well known and not very fondly remembered alternatives up front, with Luke Beckett and Andy Booth (our two centre backs will be in for a “hard” afternoon) and they’re prompted by former Manchester United and Baggies man Ronnie Wallwork. I for one have some not very happy memories of Messrs Beckett and Booth.

They do have some injury problems, however, as Jon Worthington, Robbie Williams, Luke Malcher and Tom Clarke are out, whilst James Berrett and reserve goalkeeper, Simon Eastwood are facing fitness tests. The position of Michael Collins is also unclear after he limped off after nine minutes against Forest.

Predictions?

Let’s not mess about. Confidence will be high and it’s got to happen sometime. Home win.

I make no apologies for presenting Geordie Saddler’s view of the season so far.

Last season DD said at the start the objective was to win the league, he didn’t say “the objective is to play sublime entertaining football”. On numerous occasions he referred to finding “different ways to win football matches” “standing up and earning the right to play” getting “ugly” wins. We did of course achieve our objective.

As supporters we knew what last season was about, getting out of that god-awful league any which way. It wasn’t about starting Ishy in the hope that he can have one of his 1 in 3 “head right” days where he can excite the crowd, or playing pretty, entertaining football like Lincoln and Wycombe attempted.

This season its common knowledge (as referred to most recently by DD post Hartlepool) that the objective is to be competitive, and bring in players that will steady the ship and consolidate our position whilst we develop our crop of exciting youngsters into genuine first team players. Hall was brought in to mentor Ishy, Mooney likewise Deeney etc. Weston and Sonner were brought in as like-for-like replacements for Keates and Westwood.

In search of extra quality and attacking flair we have seen the arrival of the usual mixed-bag of foreigners some of whom will, and did turn out to be rubbish, others gems.

Pre-season Dosh called for patience. This was latched upon by the usual suspects as being some kind of verbal slight. Then a few early season defeats and the same “experts” are calling for the manager’s head, slating ALL of the pre-season signings, telling STM to “go away”, and most laughably of all claiming that we finishd last season with a better team than we currently have.

So approaching the 10 game mark which to all reasonable people is a point of genuine reflection, where are we?

Well, mid-table.

Signings: We’ve discovered an absolute gem in Sonko who not only is getting better in every game, but in terms of footballing ability is head and shoulders above anyone who has played on the wing for us since Jeff Peron IMO. Its early days but I’ve seen enough of the guy to say if you want to be excited following last season’s pragmatic approach, get yourself down to a Walsall match and see this man play - he is superb.
Sonner - not good enough and gone after 7 games to replaced by Mattis - who is good enough.
Boertien - excellent.
Weston - average.
Mooney - excellent signing, if fit, one of the best strikers in the division, probably won’t score 20 goals but will get 12-15, and the other attributes he brings to the team are priceless.
Caneiro - Rubbish
Hall - not great, but can chip in when necessary.
Mawete - unknown.

The youngsters :
Deeney - already a regular in the squad and developing nicely.
Ishy - varies from complete rubbish to unstoppable, but features in virtually every game having signed a new contract.
Bradley - Getting regular squad place and now playing a role.
McDermott - Fringes, yet to really do much.
Dann - slow start but getting back to his best.

The existing regulars:

Ince - pretty good season thus far.
Gerrard - done a job and probably better than Roper.
Fox - superb, most improved player at the club.
Dobson - quietly effective.
Wrack - up and down, but a versatile performer.
Roper - poor.
Butler - rubbish, dealt with, and on his way.

The football:

Infinitely better standard than anything we saw last season, Oldham apart we have competed well in every game and at times we have looked a very good league 1 side.

The future? I hope we can avoid anymore injuries, we certainly have had our fair share. If Sonko and Ishy can continue to display their ability consistently we are going to terrify some League 1 defences. We are defensively okish, likewise midfield, and definitely short of another quality striker to help Mooney out.

Probably 2 or 3 quality signings short of being a top 7 or 8 side, but maybe 2 or 3 injuries away from being well short.

Next year I fully expect the “quality gap” to be filled by the youngsters we have who are the future of the club.

Do our supporters have the intelligence and patience to realise this?

Yes I think most do, one or two don’t for some reason and demand risky expenditure which of course could result in said youngsters being flogged off prematurely as happened under Merson with disatrous consequences.

Our club is moving in the right direction, as about 600 extatic Saddlers witnessed last night, I just hope the next “Oldham” and there will be a few along the way, maybe even this Saturday, will be greated with a bit more of a balanced reaction.

The Fat Controller (and his compatriots in the car) had no hesitation in describing this as the best Walsall performance they have seen in many a long year.

Manager Richard Money, ever one to pick a team for the occasion, surprisingly went for a change in the side that had won at Hartlepool on Saturday, bringing in Bradley for Deeney and playing a 4 5 1 formation.

The Saddlers found Donnie a match for them in the first half, especially having conceded an early goal, one that the Fat Controller thought Ince should have done better with.

The character of the side, however, was shown when they fought back and Danny Fox smashed home an equaliser from a free kick for his third of the season.

The dangerous Lewis Guy put Rovers back in front shortly before half time, however, always a bad time to concede.

Money’s half time team talk did the trick, however, as, for the first 30 minutes, Doncaster were hardly able to get out of their own penalty area, let alone their own half. Some scintillating football from the Saddlers mean they were pegged further and further back, until the impressive Bradley got his first game for the club for the second equaliser.

Then came goalkeeper Neil Sullivan’s complete moment of madness. He collected the ball under a challenge from Ishmel Demontagnac and then, for some completely inexpicable reason, took a kick at the young left winger. The superb Tommy Mooney gratefully tucked away the spot kick.

Right at the end, Rhys Weston, on for the injured Darren Wrack, gave away a penalty, which the Doncaster player dragged ten yards wide of the post and their young striker Lewis Guy was also given a straight red card for something he said, or an incident off the ball, the Fat Controller wasn’t sure which, as play wasn’t under way at the time.

Man of the Match was a unanimous decision from the Fat Controller and friends – the wonderfully composed and hard working Tommy Mooney.

Mid table respectability reached – now let’s do something about that home form.

Walsall will be taking their search for consistency to Doncaster tonight in an attempt to stretch their run away from home to three wins on the trot. Weird, isn’t it?

Richard Money’s problem this season seems to be that the team he has created is set up to play well away from home. They can stay focussed, they can be organised and compact and can keep their shape and, despite protestations from a few, they have enough pace in the side in places to be able to score on the break, as they did on Saturday. How he is going to change things so we can do as well whilst having to attack more at home is the big question now. You cannot depend on picking up enough points away from home.

It’s difficult to see any changes being made from Saturday’s successful team of:

Ince, Wrack, Dann, Gerrard, Fox, Sonko, Dobson, Mattis, Demontagnac, Mooney and Deeney.

Roper’s mystery illness means that the eleven do pick themselves to a great extent, although Weston for Wrack might be the one change, if Donnie are a big side.

Docaster Manager Sean O’Driscoll has been under some pressure at the beginning of the season, but that has eased a little following wins against Crewe and Cheltenham last Saturday.

O’Driscoll certainly has some firepower at his disposal with impressive young striker Lewis Guy, former Bournmouth dangerman James Hayter and Paul Heffernan all capable of scoring goals, as is former Blackpool stalwart Richie Wellens. At the back, veteran ‘keeper Neil Sullivan can also be a formidable barrier.

Predictions?

I thought we’d certainly lose on Saturday, so my powers are definitely not working with this side. Doncaster are only three points ahead of us, so a win will put us in a very comfortable position. However, three away wins on the bounce would be a tremendous achievement – one not many sides match. I’d be happy with a point, on the whole.