It’s drinking at the Last Chance Saloon time tomorrow. The home defeat to Bristol Rovers, at any other time of the season, could have been put down to “one of those things”. One of those results you get every now and again when your strikers aren’t functioning well and the ref is a total wazack (to say the least), but it was all too late for that. We were in a position where we couldn’t afford to have “one of those nights”. The decision of, presumably, the Chairman not to invest at least some of the cash from the sale of Danny Fox in a proven goal scorer (either in fees or wages) looks to have cost us dearly, along with Michael Ricketts’s agent not realising that four months (albeit low) wages from us is better than nothing from anyone. Still, we aren’t completely out of it yet and Leeds do look vulnerable, having themselves lost on Tuesday and struggled to get three points last Saturday against Carlisle.

Ian Roper has a broken foot, courtesy of that appalling “tackle” from Gillespie at Cheltenham and Boertien is still absent with his broken toe. Both are now going to be out for the rest of the season.

The injury news gets worse than that, however.

Darren Wrack and Stefan Moore are both out with the calf problems they have been suffering from, Mark Bradley had a virus on Tuesday and is unlikely to be fit, while Alassane N’Dour has knee and hip injuries picked up against Bristol Rovers and is doubtful.

Just like mid week, it looks as if we will be fielding whoever is still standing. Expect something like:

Ince, Weston, Smith, Gerrard, Taundry or Sansara, Nicholls or Sonko, Sonko or Taundry, Dobson, Holmes, Mooney, Betsy.

As for Bournemouth, Danny Hollands is back in midfield after a calf injury and long-serving defender Neil Young has overcome an ankle problem, while midfielder Marvin Bartley is likely to be out with a knee injury.

They do have plenty of firepower, with top scorer Jo Kuffour, promising youngster Sam Vokes and former Saddlers loanee Lee Bradbury still doing a job.

Predictions?

Bournemouth go into the game in 22nd position in the table, six points from safety. The main reason for that, however, was the ten point deduction they suffered as a result of going into administration. Even that doesn’t tell the whole story, though, as they have taken a massive 15 points out of the last 18 available, winning at Swansea and beating Bristol Rovers at home in the process.

What with our injury problems and the lack of form of the strikers, I have some real fears about this one. Heart says a win and keeping the impossible dream going a little longer, head says a draw.

Leeds, by the way, are at Millwall, who are in a decent run of form at the moment including wins at Hartlepool and Swansea.

I’m Walsall ‘Til I Die, I Know I Am, I’m Sure I Am, I’m Walsall ‘Til I Die.

Your chance to feature in an exciting new book about your experiences of supporting Walsall Football Club.

Way of life

Following The Saddlers becomes a way of life for many of us. Whether at home or travelling away we experience moments of elation and exhilaration which become landmarks in our lives. But as we know all too well, there are also the low points of despair and disappointment when we feel that all our hopes have been dashed.

Memories of supporters

The Walsall Supporters’ Trust is publishing a new book which will be on sale at the start of next season. Walsall ‘Til I Die will reflect the memories and experiences of supporters both young and old. Players and managers may come and go but it is the fans who give the permanent character to a club like Walsall. And so as a celebration of the fans, this book will reveal the fun, the absurd, the emotional, the peculiar or unbelievable that is part and parcel of following The Saddlers.

Your stories

We want to meet our longest standing fan! Who travels the farthest to get to home matches? Who has seen more matches than anyone else? Who has the funniest Walsall tale? Who are our record breakers? Get in touch so these and many other stories get in to the new book. ‘Walsall ‘Til I Die’, real football stories from real football fans… Make sure your memories are in the new book! Story telling sessions will also be held in and around the town as part of the memory-gathering process if fans would like to attend - keep an eye on Walsall websites and the official programme for further details.

Please get in touch

If you have a story or set of experiences about either yourself, a family member, a neighbour or friend which you feel deserves to go into the book please get in touch — either e-mail your 200-300 word stories to david@legendspublishing.net, post them to 18 Darby Crescent, Sunbury-on-Thames, TW16 5LA or telephone Steve on 0790 6802432 to talk about your story.
The deadline for contributions is June 30th 2008.

Walsall’s attempt to cling on to the hope of getting the last remaining play off slot (the top five are now surely safe, other than a spectacular blow up from Southend or Forest), comes back home tomorrow night, with the visit of ancient rivals Bristol Rovers.

Richard Money may well face some selection dilemmas for this game. Ian Roper was carried off on Saturday after a somewhat less than desirable challenge from Cheltenham’s Gillespie and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit. Michael Dobson went to centre back in the game, so, presumably, if Ropes doesn’t make it, either he will play there, or either Manny Smith or Aaron Brown will come in.

The choice may well be made more difficult, however, in that we also might have problems in midfield. Lee Holmes went off injured on Saturday as well, only to be followed later by the man who had replaced him, Ishmel Demontagnac. That means that Dobson’s presence may well be needed in the middle of the park, with the possibility of Nicholls or Deeney playing on the wing, or even the left footed N’Dour, who can play wide as well.

Dicky tends to be a man who does things his own way, but, for what it’s worth, if the three are missing, I’d go for:

Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Smith or Brown, Taundry, Sonko, Dobson, Bradley, N’Dour, Mooney, Betsy.

There’s no team news from Bristol Rovers yet, as seems to be normal for teams on a Monday before a Tuesday night game. Why that should be, I never could work out! However, they did line up at Bournemouth on Saturday:

Phillips, Jacobson, Elliott, Hinton, Lescott, Pipe, Lines, Campbell, Haldane, Disley, Lambert.

Subs: Carruthers, Anthony, Williams, Rigg, Klein-Davies.

That 4 5 1 formation didn’t work, as they lost the game 1 – 2 to one of the divisional strugglers.

Predictions?

Rovers go into this one in sixteenth place in the table, a mere 5 points above the relegation zone. What’s worse, since their Cup run ended at the hands of the Baggies, unlike the improving Barnsley in the Championship, they have gone downhill, having played nine and won precisely none, although they have got five draws, including credible ones at Forest and at home to Northampton.

The worry for the Saddlers, as it has been for some time now, is whether we can take the chances we create. Despite a lot of talk about the defence, in the end, it is our lack of a consistent goal threat that has been at the heart of the problems since January. Having said that, the team are quite aware that we are drinking in the last chance saloon and I think we should have enough to bag the three points tomorrow night.

Cheltenham? They don’t play football in Cheltenham, do they? Surely the town has more to do with elegant Georgian terraces, up market shops and wine bars and the Ladies’ College? Oh yes, and some four days of boredom every spring when there’s something called the Cheltenham Festival (not to be confused with the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, which is marginally more interesting). But football? Really? Don’t the locals object to the oiks enjoying themselves in their town? Anyway, we’re apparently off tomorrow for our first ever League visit to somewhere called Whaddon Road.

Walsall Manager Richard Money will be missing a couple of players through injury. Left back Paul Boertien’s seemingly career long spell of back luck means he’s out with a broken toe. Richard Taundry is probably the favourite to take his place. It also seems the years are starting to catch up with long serving midfielder Darren Wrack, who will also be missing with a niggling calf injury.

Alassane N’Dour’s man of the match performance against Tranmere means that he’s likely to make his second start, so I’d expect a 4 5 1 of:

Ince, Weston, Gerrard, Roper, Taundry, Betsy, Sonko, Dobson, N’Dour, Holmes, Mooney.

Ishmel Demontagnac will probably be on the bench, after proving yet again last week that he can have an impact late on. Doubts still remain about him starting, however.

The opposition Manager, ex Dingle Keith Downing, has far more problems.

John Finnigan, Michael Townsend and former Saddlers’ youngster, Gavin Caines are all ruled out for the rest of the season through injury, as might Damian Spencer.
On top of that, they have injuries that will require fitness tests on Alex Russell (stomach), Alan Wright (achilles) and Craig Armstrong (ankle).

Predictions?

Cheltenham go into this game 4 points above the relegation places, in eighteenth place. That does not tell the whole story, though, as they have 9 wins at home and only 3 away. Indeed, they have lost just one of the last 10 at Whaddon Road

Walsall’s plight, however, is such that only a win will do, so here goes, three points to the Saddlers!

Don’t forget, by the way, that this game is all ticket for away fans.

Essington councillor David J. Clifft’s outrage on behalf of the people in his ward has put the mockers on a proposed new stadium for Walsall. South Show, major supporters of the plan, have now pulled out of the scheme, citing “difficulties with local relations”. It is thought that a traveller’s camp is now earmarked for the land.

The local council can now return to more important matters, like fixing the roads, ensuring the recycling is sorted properly and replacing all those street lamps that are out.

Disclaimer: the above story is a joke, just like the original stadium spoof story posted on April 1, commonly known as April Fool’s Day. Readers are reminded that they can discuss any story on the message boards, and if they have genuine concerns then a quick private message to any moderator listed in the forums will elicit a personal reply.

Just when some of us thought the play-off dreams were disappearing, faint hope remains tonight after a 2-1 win over fellow-contender Tranmere Rovers.

Site sponsor Whitti Steve, fresh from a visit to the big smoke midweek, was at the game, and gave these thoughts on the performance on the message board:

I thought we did well and deserved the win today. We bossed the first half without creating too much, second half we did well but did sit back a little too much when they started going for it. I thought Betsy had his best game so far (that I have seen) and Dobson did well. I agreed with the sponsors that chose N’dour for MOTM, he didn’t do much spectacular, but held the ball well and didn’t give it away, making the midfield that much more solid. Roper and Gerranrd did well, I was disappointed with Taundry (esp for their goal!), but he was poor most of the game IMHO.

A HUGE well done the the small group at the front of the Asbo who kept the atmosphere going. It was great today!

Give your view on the game

Richard Money has got some problems tomorrow. He’s caught in something of a cleft stick, in that the team have certainly faltered as the pressure of trying to get into the playoffs got to them. With the need now to win, probably, four or five of the remaining six games, the task is near enough impossible. That means the players might relax and start performing again, giving us that outside chance. However, they could, just as easily, “do a Spurs”, who, after winning the League Cup, seem to be on the beach for their summer holidays already. What does he do? Stress that we can still do it and run the danger of them freezing again, or let them relax, with the danger of them falling asleep?

On top of the psychology of the situation, Money also has selection problems. Darren Wrack, Edrissa Sonko and Kevin Betsy all missed the 1-0 defeat at Southend with a bout of flu, as did Michael Dobson, the pick of the midfield against Crewe, and Ishmel Demontagnac, both with knee injuries. The first three should be available again, having played in the reserves in the week, but Dobson and Ishy will still, more than likely, be missing (although they might be fit for Cheltenham).

New defender Aaron Brown could be in line for his first-team debut but he would be most likely to start the game on the bench.

Tranmere’s injury worry has been former Walsall loanee Chris Shuker, who may return for the game. The diminutive midfielder is always a creative threat, so his absence would be welcome.

Predictions?

Bugger it. Nothing but a win will do, so does the form really matter? For the record, Tranmere’s away form is nothing to write home about, having won five, drawn seven and lost eight. They have scored fewer away than we have and conceded more. Normally, I’d be predicting home win, but today I’m just praying for one.

An editor writes: Please note the following story was published on April 1st. On the same day the BBC ran an item about flying penguins and the Mirror said ITV would shortly begin filming Dogs on Ice, featuring skating greyhounds.

South Staffs district council has received a planning application for a new stadium and concert venue on land at the top end of Broad Lane in Essington. The new stadium, less than half-a-mile from the new training ground, will be leased by Essington Parish Council to Walsall Football Club as part of an agreement which will see a peppercorn rent; but a 50 per cent stake in the corporate hospitality, conferences and concert business.

The area forming part of the planning application is bordered by the M6, A462, Hilton Lane and the B4156. The road junction from Broad Lane onto the A462 has just been remodelled, widened and traffic lights installed to cope with additional traffic. It is anticipated that the move will increase attendances, attracting a larger number of people from Cannock and Stafford to the club.

Away fans and people attending conferences, will be able to access the stadium through an access road from Hilton Park services, allowing the police to escort coaches on and off the motorway directly to the ground without the need for them to access the local roads.

Project managers, South Show Entertainment Ltd say the 40,000 seater stadium will built as a ring and will be separate tiers:

Tier 1 is nearest the pitch and holds 2,000. This will only be used for reserve and youth matches or when a big attendance is expected.
Tier 2 will be the “normal use” tier in the first instance. It holds 7,000.
Tier 3 is a general purpose overflow and can hold 13,000 - with variable segregation built-in so that, if necessary, this tier can be given over fully to home or away fans regardless of what fans are in that part of the ground on other tiers.
Tier 4 holds another 18,000.
There will be 1,000 additional seats available for executive / corporate sponsorship use.

It will be built in such a way as to ensure that future expansion, should it be required, could be added on.

The bulk of the seats will not be required for the football but will be necessary to sustain the venue as one of the north-Midlands’ premier concert venues, attracting music fans from Manchester, Staffordshire, Shropshire and north Wales.

If approved, work on the stadium will begin in the Autumn with the club moving in from the start of the 2010/2011 season. The club’s existing stadium will be used to expand the neighbouring retail park. As well as a new Sainsbury’s supermarket, an ice-rink will be incorporated to maintain the ‘leisure’ use aspect.

Map of proposed site here:link to location map

Down to Sarfend tomorrow. Sarfend, the playground of the Cockneys. What a depressing thought that is – thousands of people trying desperately not to sound like Dick Van Dyke on crack – or should that be trying to sound like him?

Not that I’ve ever been there for a holiday, of course, but the thought of spending any length of time with anybody even remotely resembling a character from Eastenders or Birds of a Feather is somewhat less than appealing. Even worse, judging by the wife’s TV viewing, it seems that Jamie Oliver has the habit of visiting with his nephews and nieces. Worst of all, it’s even in Essex!

If the Saddlers are to make a final challenge for that play off slot, then the mini slump has to end now. Ian Roper’s 94th minute equaliser on Monday just about kept us in the running, but it seems that he might well be the scapegoat for the sudden loss of form, with the arrival of loanee Aaron Brown from Reading. If Brown is match fit, then he is likely to start in the long serving Roper’s place, something which is likely to mark the beginning of the end for one of the club’s truly loyal servants. Let’s hope he can get his best form back, but time is getting on for the thirty year old.

Midfielders Michael Dobson, Edrissa Sonko and Darren Wrack are all rated as doubtful, due to a flu bug at the club, which could mean starts for Mark Bradley, Richard Taundry and Alassane N’Dour. Michael Dobson was easily the pick of a poor midfield on Monday, so that could be a blow, but Wracky’s place was probably under threat with the return of Bradley from international duty and Taundry from suspension. N’Dour showed some nice touches when he came on which may well influence whether he starts.

Ishmel Demontagnac is also doubtful with a knee injury. He’d be only likely to be on the bench anyway, with Lee Holmes being the better option out wide.

Up front, it will be interesting to see if Money goes for two or one, and what part Stefan Moore might play, given his goals for the reserves in the week.

Southend Manager Steve Tilson also has no new injury worries, with only newly acquired (in January) striker Alex Revell missing. He returned for the reserves after recovering from a hernia injury but is not expected to be fit enough to resume first-team duties yet

Predictions?

Southend have beaten us once already this season, of course, in our early season bad run. At that time, they looked odds on promotion candidates, but they have had their ups and downs, which means they are really competing for a play off berth. They are unbeaten in their last eight games, which doesn’t bode well, but there may be a chink in their armour, in that nerves may be setting in for them too, as they have only managed draws in their last two home games. Still, that’s better than 1 draw and 2 defeats in the last three!

There may be a weakness there, but the question for the Saddlers will be how well the midfield can do in both keeping the pressure off the defence and in supplying the wings with enough decent possession to create chances. We know we are capable of it, so it’s time for the players to stand up and be counted.

One thing that Richard Money has proven over the last two seasons is that you really shouldn’t take much notice of what he says in the Press.

After the story ran in the Express and Star today that he was not planning on making any loan signings before the window closes at 5.00pm, he has promptly gone out and signed Reading’s central defender Aaron Brown.

Brown is a local lad, who signed for Reading from Tamworth in November 2005, having previously played for England’s non-league representative side.

He was loaned out to League One side AFC Bournemouth in February, playing four times for the Cherries, but broke his ankle in July 2006, ruling him out for the entire season, as well as the beginning of the 2007/8 campaign.

He’s a six foot tall, 24 year old central defender and shouldn’t be confused with the Gillingham player of the same name.