The late night departure of Scott Dann on transfer deadline day has overshadowed the entire week for Saddlers fans. Whilst the departure of Danny Fox, for a reasonably good fee for a third tier left back didn’t cause many ripples, with Paul Boertien as a more than adequate replacement, Scott ZiDann’s move was a complete shock. We don’t. of course, even know whether the outstanding prospect’s fee was reasonable, or a knock down, as it was hidden behind the magic “undisclosed” word and, while Ian Roper can step into the breach, we are now desperately short at the back if we have injuries or suspensions.

Whether there is going to be any change in the opinions of fans after the club statement today that we had, in fact, turned down an offer for Dann on Wednesday night and that he himself asked for a transfer on Thursday morning having “mysteriously” found out about the offer, I don’t know. The explanation is that Coventry then came back with another offer, which was accepted, on the understanding that Coventry would loan the player back until the end of February, in order for us to find a replacement, but Dann himself then refused the loan. If that is true, then the player’s own actions leave an awful lot to be desired.

All that being said, we are likely to line up tomorrow, in the absence of any injury problems, with an eleven picked from:

Ince, Bossu, Weston, Roper, Gerrard, Fox, Betsy, Sonko, Taundry, Wrack, Dobson, Holmes, Deeney, Nicholls, Mooney, Smith, Demontagnac.

A 4 5 1 seems to be a very likely option.

Carlisle have two new signings to parade, right winger Cleveland Taylor, a virtual unknown they have taken from Scunthorpe for £50,000 and former Baggie (and Carlisle) player Scott Dobie, who has escaped his nightmare at Forest (4 goals in 49 appearances). He has taken the place of Danny Graham, who hasn’t scored since early October.

Predictions?

Carlisle, of course, were our visitors for the first home game of the season, when they got a 1 – 1 at the Banks’s. Since then, they have managed to maintain a place in the running for the play offs, as they are currently one place and one point behind us, but with two games in hand.

What is keeping them there, unfortunately, is their home record of, won 10, drawn 1, lost 1.

I really can’t see us getting anything out of this one, with the best will in the world. I’d have had doubts even with Ricketts and Dann in the side, but, without them, I think we are a lot weaker.

Not that one, the other one, with a deliberate title pun. In an astounding piece of business close to the deadline on transfer day, when all good supporters are tucked up in bed, the sale of Scott Dann to Coventry, on a three and a half year deal, was announced. Predictably, the fee was undisclosed.

Having signed a three year deal just last June, Dann would hav been one of the last people anyone would expect to leave, but the unthinkable has happened, and it looks like Roper will now have a good run at making a centre-back slot his own, unless Dickie thinks Manny is ready to cut his teeth in the first team.

There’s some questions need answering over this deal, given the very public announcements from both our owner and manager expressing their satisfaction with the youth, with our progress and with our finances. “We don’t need to sell”?? No doubt these answers will be forthcoming tomorrow.