It’s back to playing a “proper” rival tomorrow – weather permitting. Bristol Rovers are what you might call another “real” football club and have been long standing opposition for the Saddlers over the years. Who can forget, for example, that 4 – 3 win for the Saddlers down there in our promotion season? It’s just a pity, however, that they don’t play at a proper football ground. They have already had problems this season at the Memorial Stadium, which they share with Bristol Rugby Club, but, after losing their money spinning FA Cup replay against Fulham to the weather this week, they have week invested in a new pitch covering system which is supposed to have a blow up cover to protect it from the rain and heating to dry the ground out. We shall see.

The weirdest thing about the game, however, is that it’s the middle of January and this will be the first time we’ve faced Rovers this season – the last club to have that honour!

Team News

Richard Money’s injury problems seem to be clearing up at last. Dobson and Boertien both came on as subs at Millwall and both got 90 minutes in against Rushall in the Senior Cup, so they will be available. Ricketts and Mooney are also hoping to be fit (and we have certainly missed both badly). The Manager may decide to only risk on of them, however, if they are fit, in view of the probable conditions.

Bertrand Bossu, contrary to rumours about him having a row with Money did, in fact, injure his shoulder warming up in the week, so Rene Gilmartin has been recalled from his loan at Hednesford to sit on the bench if the big Frenchman doesn’t make it.

The other welcome returnee is Lee Holmes, prevented by FA rules from appearing on Tuesday, as he wasn’t with us at the time of the original game. He certainly showed enough in his first appearance to make fans think he could be a great acquisition.

Rovers have been having all sorts of injury problems themselves.

Sammy Igoe has been struggling with a hamstring recently, and Lewis Haldane, Byron Anthony, Craig Disley and Ryan Green have all spent some time out recently. There isn’t any team news from the Rovers camp yet, but they did line up at Tranmere last week:

Phillips, Lescott, Hinton, Elliott, Jacobson, Pipe, Coles, Lines, Campbell, Williams, Lambert.
Subs: Mike Green, Reece, Rigg, Walker, Disley.

Predictions?

We seem to have a habit recently of going to visit teams in a good run of form and Rovers are no exception. Their last five results have included wins at Tranmere and Southend, a 3 – 0 home win against Swindon and that draw at Craven Cottage. Their only poor result has been the home draw against Luton. However, Yeovil and Oldham were on impressive runs when we went to both and won!

Personally, this is another of those fixtures where I’ll be happy if we come away with a point. Mind you, another 4 – 3 win would be nice!