Dean Keates and his squad find themselves in the unusual position of being below the play-off zone, thanks to Accrington Stanley and Doncaster Rovers sneakily winning during our enforced absence. A win at Kenilworth Road would probably propel us back into the play-off mix, as Accrington have what looks like a tough fixture at Peterborough United. However, Luton have been improving since their shaky start to the season (their first 3 games wereagainst Portsmouth, Sunderland and Peterborough), and theyāre only 3 points and 3 places below us in League One - their current form looks like this:-
Sep 15 Bristol Rovers (H) Won 1-0
Sep 22 Blackpool (A) Drew 0-0
Sep 29 Charlton Athletic (H) Drew 2-2
Oct 2 Oxford United (A) Won 1-2
Oct 6 Scunthorpe United (H) Won 3-2
Oct 13 Barnsley (A) Lost 3-2
There is, of course, a Walsall connection with Luton Town in the shape of the manager whose win percentage (54.2%) for Luton is the highest in the clubās history. That man? Richard Money.
The weekās break, coupled with the much-changed side against Middlesbroughās U-21 team, will have given Dean Keates much to consider when looking to extend our unbeaten away record. Hopefully Morgan Ferrier will be back to full fitness after limping off at half time at Bristol Rovers, and Andy Cook will be encouraged by his goal against 'Boro. Our ability to find the net may be even more important than usual, because Lutonās scoring record (19 goals so far) makes a Saddlersā clean sheet a bit doubtful - fortunately their defence is occasionally leaky, with 18 goals conceded (compared to our 12).
Prediction? Letās just see if we can maintain the ā0ā in the away losses column - I would be happy with a 1-1 draw from this one, with another Andy Cook piledriver, or perhaps a Kieron Morris 96th minute equaliser?
My first visit to Kenilworth rd. For some reason this is all-ticket, though donāt know whether this is like the all-ticket games at Sheffield United and you can get them on the day.
1.0 win Leahy.
A tough 2-2 in my view. This game and the Southend game on Tuesday are real tests of our away form. 2 draws would be good results . Thanks WELSH for another excellent post.
Anyone see the rubbish on Walsall Fans Have Your Say?
āQuestion Iām always interested in the answer to ā¦
Weāve got two tough away games coming up, would you rather ā¦
Win one & lose one ā¦ 3 points but we lose our unbeaten away record
Or draw both ā¦ only 2 points but still unbeaten ā
What planet are these people on to ask such a ridiculous question!?
The most difficult game since Barnsley (a) IMO. They have the best home record in the division and itās a horrible place to go. Real test of our bastardry credentials, draw would be a fantastic result.
The capacity of Kenilworth Road since it became all-seater is 10,356. This compares with their record attendance of 30,069 for a cup tie against Blackpool in 1959.
Their most recent home game (vs. Scunthorpe Utd) had a gate of 8.682, so practically full !!
Behind the goal used to be all away fans but with their resurgence in recent times home fans share half of it so thatās why itās all ticket as lower away followings and they can obviously shift the netting across.
I agree with most on here, they are a very decent side so would be happy with a draw from this. Played well at Barnsley and were 6 unbeaten previously. Their matches tend to be high scoring so hopefully Ferrier will get some space to do damage like at Oxford.
Tough game. Head says 3-1, but Iām not top of the prediction league. A bishop Desmond would suit me, especially if itās a 94th minute equaliser to grab a point.
Good side at home will be happy to get the draw our away run has to end sometime just hope it goes on a bit longer I am really enjoying watching away and not coming back with last seasons feeling of lack of hope.
My apologies - I didnāt make it clear in the preview ā¦ he was manager from 2009 to 2011. But his win percentage still stands as a record for the Hatters.
deserves a round of applause though.
Unless heās in a role Iām unaware of?!
the last team he managed was solihull moors.