Whilst losing Lowe is a blow (club do need to learn to stop loaning strikers at the start of the season), and another black mark on the Mark Robins list of infamy, here’s a few reasons why it’s all still good
We’re 12 points clear of 2nd, and 14 clear of 4th with a game in hand.
We have a massively superior GD.
I can’t find a team that’s been in this position, at this stage, and not gone on to be promoted, most likely as Champions, in at least the last 20 years.
This time last season we lost Draper, who was our top goalscorer, and we had a better 2nd half of the season than we did the 1st.
This is a TEAM, they are such a strong unit with goals from all over the park, we are not a one man band as we were 2 seasons ago when we lost DJ.
Being in the position we’re in, the way we develop players, and the chances we create, there will be clubs clamouring to send us their prospects, or players who would love the opportunity to play up front for us.
Mid-table form from here on in is all we need to see us up, 30 points for promotion, probably 35 for the title.
The recruitment in the past 2 years has generally been very good, so it’s in good hands, no DC having to phone Karl Robinson on deadline day for Osei-Yaw!
Stoke did it early enough in the window, there’s plenty of time to even get someone in by the MK game, not least the end of the window.
Sadler seems to have learned his lessons, and learned them well, and is well equipped to deal with the changes and adapt now.
JG is back fit again, and was actually showing better form than last season until his injury, he’s no Lowe, and I don’t expect him to be leading the line, but might still surprise us with a crucial goal or two between now and the end of the season.
We’re going up ladies and gents - nothing’s going to stop us now!
I’m a huge cynic and great pessimist and can’t fault that
I think I’d add to it with - With the creativity we have and chance creation. DJ could end up in double figures if he’s called upon. So good any other half decent forward could fill his boots.
The key to our position is that we are a team. We have overcome bad injuries to key players and we will overcome the loss of Lowe (sad though it is). UTS
And exactly the sentiment we should be heading into Saturday with. All of us.
This is a million miles away from the 2008 scenario.
And if/when we do go up we were 80% sure to be facing into the third division without Nathan Lowe. Gives us more time to prep for that huge probability whilst in the fourth division.
I am very cheerfull we are going up. but on the subject of loans. If the only way we get a player of Lowes quality is a loan for 5 months. I would much rather have him for 5 months than not at all.
I trust the Club / Management Team to have a plan in place, but my worry is how this affects the team - how they will cope with what is undoubtedly a major blow. The issue has unsettled us supporters, so it’s most likely caused similar concerns amongst the team - they are only human after all.
I accept that they will have far greater knowledge and understanding of the situation - most likely they’ve known for a while - but confidence is a large part of why we’re in the position we are, and I do worry about the inevitable bit of self-doubt creeping in.
I guess this will be just another test for the management team - to keep confidence and belief up - and I suppose footballers (at least the good ones) will always back themselves to succeed.
Whilst he might not be a 100% match for our style of play this season, the romantic in me would love to see DJ come back into the team and score the goals that keep us in first place. What a redemption arc that would be!
I have belief and trust and whatever trivela and Sadler come up with I would be happy to go with what they decide cannot see them taking their eyes of the ball now
MS appears to use Uncs as a replacement for Matt rather than Lowe - probably sees him as a better spear for the youngster than DJ would be. DJ has mostly come on for Lowe - who was playing so well he was kept on longer than Matt most games hence why DJ was limited. I’d say DJ alongside Matt will be the plan until at least Flash is ready to start or we get a new striker in.
Great post Red Prince. Agree with all of that. I don’t think there’s ever been a better time to be a Walsall fan in a generation.
Many fans including me will be disappointed if we don’t go up as champions. The fact we’re even thinking like that is in itself a reason to be cheerful.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Sadler state at the start of this month that if Lowe was recalled, the club already had in place plans to deal with this. I read that to mean a ready made replacement had been lined up to come in immediately. Now that might be naive, but I hope they are not now scratching about desperately tapping up clubs to help us out!
That’s what supporting this club does to you. I need to see something positive today or tomorrow, or I will doubt we have anything in place.
