Match thread for the pre-season friendly at Leamington.
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With the temperature expected to again be above 30C during the game, will we be having WC style hydration breaks?
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If I don’t hear multiple adverts during the hydration breaks I’ll be annoyed
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Really looking forward to spot the trialist today, hopefully there is at least one!
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I think there will be a goalkeeper triallist, at least. Not sure who else might be there: CDM, centre-half, left-winger, Weimann? I’m off to Wembley to see My Chemical Romance and so will miss it!
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Pre-season is finally here, and after what feels like a very long summer, the Saddlers are back in action this afternoon with the short trip to Leamington for the first friendly of the 2026/27 campaign.
As always with the opening game, the result isn’t the main focus. Today is all about getting minutes into the legs, building fitness and giving Lee Grant his first opportunity to see his squad in a match situation. Expect plenty of changes throughout the 90 minutes, with almost everyone likely to get some game time.
Leamington will provide decent opposition. The Brakes are beginning life after relegation from the National League North and will see today’s game as a good test against League Two opposition, so they certainly won’t make things easy.
For Walsall fans, the biggest interest will be seeing how the new signings settle in, whether any of the younger lads are given an opportunity to impress, and perhaps getting an early glimpse of how Grant wants his side to play. Pre-season is often where those first tactical ideas begin to take shape, even if the football isn’t always at its sharpest.
There’s no pressure on the scoreline, but you’d still hope to see a professional performance, good intensity and signs that the squad is buying into the new manager’s ideas. If we can come away with a positive display, a clean bill of health and 45-60 minutes in the legs for most of the squad, it’ll be a successful afternoon.
Here’s to another season getting underway.
UP THE SADDLERS!
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Let’s just come through the game unscathed no long term injuries please.
hopefully get to see a few triallists too
I’ll be on trialist watch from 2pm 🕵♂️
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Let me know if Lalkovic is there 
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No team prediction Rob? 
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Hydration breaks sponsored by NoFo and Leamore Windows today I reckon.
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Weimann would be quality if that is a serious suggestion. Still been playing championship in recent years and wasn’t far off making Austria’s World Cup squad.
He left Villa a year before Adomah joined so no connection there but pretty sure his partner is from Solihull so guessing he just wants to stay local as he nears retirement.
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Perhaps he could car share with Evan Khouri!
If we sign Khouri, to the tune of Kyrie by Mr. MIster.
Khouri, down the Wednesbury road that I must travel…
Khouri I see you through the darkness of the night.
Khouri where I’m going will you follow?
To promotion so we finally see the light.
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Not really bothered by the result - just interested to see and hear how we set up and play.
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No injuries would be nice too.
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Isaac Moore is a big lad 
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@Bags10 your 1st job is to identify trialist A, who I assume is a centre back.