The Saddlers kick off the 2008/2009 campaign away at Huish Park, home of struggling Yeovil. Last season the wind and rain affected the enjoyment for many, although the Fab 15 earned their moment of youtube glory by staying out in the elements while the rest of the travelling faithful were grateful to the home stewards for letting them shelter in the stands. This season we’re hoping the rag-end of a rather unsettled Summer might lead to tanning opportunities rather than a soaking.

Yeovil have been shy of keepers all Summer until this week, and we’re still not sure who the number 1 will be on Saturday, with 3-month loanee Begovic (the Canadian signed from Portsmouth) vying for the shirt with new permanent signing Josh Wagenaar (the Canadian signed from ADO Den Haag).

In front of this it gets harder, as Yeovil’s squad has undergone more change as ours recently. It could be anyone in the outfield - the cash-strapped Glovers have lost 16 players over Summer, signing only 6 replacements, two of whom are Conference South gambles from Fisher Athletic. A squad of just 17 contracted players (including their first-season youngsters) looks terribly thin for a season in League One, so for manager Russell Slade it’s a question of which player to leave off the bench rather than choose five to go on it.

My friends in The Green Room (an replacement for the long-lamented ciderspace) tell me the likely first XI is:
Begovic
Peltier Forbes Skiverton Smith
Way Schofield Bircham Tomlin
Warne Downes

Bench: Jones, Murtagh, Alcock, Trogwell, Owusu (although we’re not sure if Trogwell has signed yet).

A probable Walsall line-up (fitness being assumed) would be Ince, protected by a new-look back 4 of Palmer, Roberts, Gerrard and Boertien, with much depending on how quickly these guys can gel together. Midfield is probably Nicholls, Hughes, Mattis and Zaaboub, although Mullen may give the nod to Demontagnac on the left, and forwards almost certainly the new signing partnerhsip of Ricketts and Ibhere. Subs bench: one of Ishy or Sofie, plus Gilmartin, Deeney, Reich and Taundry.

Predictions? Trusting in the bookies, we see that Yeovil have been installed as slight favourites, which should be the kiss of death to them. Given the negativity surrounding the Glovers, who believe that survival is their only hope this season, it’s likely we’ll be the beneficiaries of the bookies largesse. So… 3-1 Walsall, as the defence concedes due to miscommunication, while the forwards get busy.