Darrell Clarke returns to Bescot with his Bristol Rovers side….
The Opposition
Bristol Rovers had a torrid last season spending most of it in the bottom half. They finished the season in 22nd place and were relegated. They will be looking to bounce back at the first opportunity.
The Proposition
The Saddlers will be looking to extend their unbeaten run in the League to 7 games after a great away win against Accrington. Aden Flint continued to be a rock at the heart of defence and with his first Walsall goal, joined the growing list of defenders contributing to the scoresheet game after game. Aaron Pressley’s hard work over the last few games paid off with his 2nd goal of the season.
Although Accrington pulled a goal back, Albert Adomah was there again with another great cameo from the subs bench scoring his 3rd goal of the season before a trademark oldie celebration to ease Saddlers fans concerns.
Bristol rovers are currently 7th in the table, and unbeaten in their last 7 games (5 wins/2 draws) after starting the season with 3 straight losses. A close game looks to be on the cards with all Rovers wins only by 1 goal and in the last 4 they have no clean sheets so may give Walsall the type of chances to score that we have taken in the last few games.
The First Time
The first meeting between the sides was in Division Three (South) on the 27th August 1927, which resulted in a 5-2 away loss for Walsall. In those first 10 years, we lost to them 5-2 on 4 separate occasions (2 at home, 2 away).
The Worst Time
On 28th April 1952, the Saddlers lost 5-1 away in a Division Three (South) game.
The Last Time
The Saddlers last meeting with Bristol Rovers was in League Two on 29th January 2022 with a 1-0 loss away. The home fixture was another loss, this time 2-1.
Played for both
Romaine Sawyers last played as a midfielder for EFL League Two club Bristol Rovers. Born in England, he represents the Saint Kitts and Nevis national team.
A West Bromwich Albion academy graduate, he had brief spells on loan at Port Vale, Shrewsbury Town and Walsall. He signed with Walsall in July 2013, following his release from West Brom. He played on the losing side in the 2015 final of the Football League Trophy. He was named in League One’s PFA Team of the Year for his 2015–16 season performances. He joined Brentford in July 2016 and went on to serve as club captain before he returned to West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee in July 2019. He helped the club to win promotion out of the Championship at the end of the 2019–20 season and was also named in the PFA Team of the Year. West Brom were relegated the following year, and he was loaned out to Stoke City for the 2021–22 season. He signed with Cardiff City in July 2022 and spent two seasons with the club. He joined AFC Wimbledon on a short-term deal in December 2024 and moved on to Bristol Rovers a month later.
Walsall
Sawyers joined Walsall on loan in March 2013; West Brom released him in June 2013. Following his release from West Brom, Sawyers signed a permanent one-year deal at Walsall in July 2013. On 17 August 2013, he marked his first senior start for Walsall with his first goal from 25 yards (23 m) in a 1–1 draw with Notts County at the Bescot Stadium. He finished the 2013–14 season with seven goals in 49 appearances. He signed a new two-year deal with the club.
He played in the 2015 final of the Football League Trophy, a 2–0 defeat to Bristol City, which was Walsall’s first appearance at Wembley Stadium. In total he scored five goals in 51 appearances in the 2014–15 season. He was named in League One’s PFA Team of the Year for his performances in the 2015–16 season, alongside teammate Rico Henry. He was also nominated for the PFA League One ‘Player of the Year’, and finished as runner-up to Gillingham’s Bradley Dack. He rejected the club’s offer a new contract and departed as a free agent at the end of the season.
Bristol Rovers
On 8 January 2025, Sawyers joined League One side Bristol Rovers on a short-term contract until the end of the 2024–25 season. Following relegation, he was released at the end of his short-term contract.
International career
Sawyers represented Saint Kitts and Nevis national under-23 football team in the second round of the Caribbean Football Union’s qualifying phase for the 2012 CONCACAF Men’s Olympic Qualifying Championship. In the three games the team played, he scored four goals. He was called up to the full team for the qualification for the 2012 Caribbean Cup. He scored a goal and claimed an assist on his debut in a 2–0 win over Anguilla.
Also:
Stuart Sinclair, James Clarke, Alfie Biggs, Rollin Menayese, Isaac Hutchinson, Myles Roberts, Ellis Harrison, … former Walsall manager and all round legend, Ray Graydon spent the first 6 years (133 appearances) of his playing career with Bristol Rovers.
Comment if you know any more!!!
Lump On
Darrell Clarke has faced us twice since he left (both with Port Vale in the 21/22 season) and we beat him 1-0 away and 2-0 at home. We’re on a 6 game unbeaten run, scoring 11 times and sit top of the league.
Lump Off
They’re looking for their 3rd win on the bounce. In our last 10 meetings, all within the last 10 years, we’ve only won 2, with 3 draws and 5 losses. Our overall record against them is slightly in their favour at W39/D23/L44.
Goal Tally (sponsored by Owly McOwlface)
Evan Weir - 3
Daniel Kanu - 3
Albert Adomah - 3
Connor Barrett - 2
Aaron Pressley - 2
Harrison Burke - 1
Charlie Lakin - 1
Ryan Finnigan - 1
Jid Okeke - 1
Aden Flint - 1
UTS Match Poll
- Walsall Win
- Drawn
- Bristol Win
