“I shall always look for Walsall’s result on match days,
but that will probably be the extent of my participation”
- Welsh Saddler, January 2020
Following the sad retirement of @Welsh_Saddler from UTS duty I’m afraid I’ll be writing the match previews for the foreseeable future. Another massive thank you for his contribution over the years.
Crwho?
The Railwaymen are bona fide automatic promotion contenders and arguably the best ‘footballing’ team in the division. They currently sit 3rd in League Two, 16 points and 11 places above the Saddlers with a seasonal record that reads P 29 W 15 D 7 L 7 F 53 A 35 Pts 52.
Their form over the last 10 league games is the third best in the division, recording five wins and just two defeats during that period. Alex have the 6th best travelling record in the League, having taken 22 points from 14 away games this season.
Veteran striker Chris Porter leads their attacking charts with 10 goals and 1 assist, followed by Chuma Anene (9G, 1A), Daniel Powell (8G, 1A), Charlie Kirk (7G, 12A) and Tommy Lowery (5G, 3A).
Recent League Form
Jan 11 Swindon (A) Lost 3-1
Jan 18 Cheltenham (H) Won 1-0
Jan 21 Macclesfield (A) Drew 1-1
Jan 25 Scunthorpe (A) Drew 2-2
Jan 28 Orient (H) Won 2-0
Previous Meeting
The teams last met at Bescot on 26th September 2015, a 1-1 draw in the opening stages of the League One season. Tom Bradshaw gave Walsall the lead after only three minutes, Ben Nugent levelled the scores fifteen minutes later.
Most recently, Walsall lost 1-0 at Gresty Road back in August.
Played for Both
Olly Lancashire is the only current link, playing 50 games for Walsall between 2010 and 2012 before joining Crewe last summer. Jon Guthrie, Febian Brandy and Alex Nicholls have featured for both clubs in recent times.
The Saddlers signed goalkeeper Mark Gayle from Worcester City in 1991, he played 75 games before leaving for Crewe two years later, his departure prompting the signing of Jimmy Walker. He was loaned out five times during his five years in Cheshire, including a brief spell at Liverpool.
Gayle ended his playing career at Rushall Olympic in 2007.
Prediction
Unless DC can provoke a marked reaction from his players, you get the feeling we’ll have to take our medicine and admire what a similar sized club with a decent blueprint can achieve.
Playing attractive football with good young players and a real identity, Crewe are where we were in 2015-16, and where we need to get back to as soon as possible.
Predicting a home win is hard enough these days, but after Tuesday’s performance and against top three opposition I’d be laboured to predict a draw. 0-2 Crewe.
Match Poll
- Walsall Win
- Draw
- Crewe Win
