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Post by hatter_in_macc on Dec 26, 2022 20:26:14 GMT
Quick turnaround on the Match Threads to get ready for this, our first of two meetings with the 'Saddlers' within nine days.
The first, of course, is a league affair - at the easiest-to-spot ground in England just off the M6. Two in-form sides to contest it, too.
You know what to do...
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Post by gazz on Dec 27, 2022 2:36:58 GMT
Big game is this, the kind we need to win if we are to be in with a chance of promotion. Well, they all are really, but you know what I mean.
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Post by autistichatter on Dec 27, 2022 10:10:44 GMT
So who are the Saddlers, well for one thing they don't look like the side that squeaked a 1-1 draw at EP back on Oct 1. At close of play that day they had 10 points from 11 Gs. Now, after P 21 they have 33 points, so that's 23 pts from their last 10 Gs in the league.
Their H record is pretty good - P 10 W 6 D 2 L 2 F 17 A 8. Unlike Crewe who specialise in scoring 1 or 0, Walsall regularly score 2 or 3. In fact they've only been held goalless in the League 4 times (Gillingham A 0-0 in Aug, Tranmere H 0-1 and Orient A 1-0 in Sept, Carlisle A 0-0 in Nov).
The H Ws were to Hartlepool 4-0, 1-0 v Rochdale, 3-1 v Harrogate Town, 3-1 v AFC Wimbledon, 1-0 v Northampton Town and 2-1 v Crawley Town. The Ds were 1-1 v Stevenage and 1-1 v Colchester and the Ls were 1-2 v Grimsby and 0-1 v Tranmere. So although the record looks good there are not many top teams in that list and quite a few at the foot of the table. So County should not fear this team: they look a pretty decent mid table side, reasonably well organised and capable of scoring but not a world beating side.
Top scorer is F Danny Johnson, all 5 foot 10 of him, with 11 in the league and 13 in total. Next comes F Tom Knowles on 3 and then MF Isaac Hutchinson and D Hayden White both on 2,then 7 on 1 apiece. So yeah, they've got a pretty good forward but after him it's bits and pieces. So again, worthy of respect but not fear.
All in all, I suspect that they will be very organised and play it tight, maybe nick a goal, but County are more than capable of coming back with 3 points.
As ever, fingers crossed.
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Dec 28, 2022 10:47:13 GMT
A team to be respected especially at home.
We need to turn our shots per game into shots on target and then into goals - simple to say.
Thanks for the info AH
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Post by gazz on Dec 28, 2022 15:38:03 GMT
Seconded, excellent as always. |
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Post by ceefer on Dec 29, 2022 10:14:25 GMT
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Post by autistichatter on Dec 29, 2022 19:27:06 GMT
Bardlsey makes his debut as replacement for the injured MSH (ankle injury from DC's comments post Crewe match: DC also pointed out that MSH puts a lot of strain on a relatively light frame so he's injury prone - I think I've remembered that right).
Anyway here's the starting XI
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Post by bringbacklenwhite on Dec 29, 2022 22:01:47 GMT
That has to go down as a very good away win.
Lump your money on County for promotion via the play-offs. Game in hand and 2 points behind teams that keep dropping points. It could happen. I think top 3 is a bit of a stretch though.
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Post by gazz on Dec 29, 2022 22:02:53 GMT
Great three points! Congrats to DC, his staff, players and the brilliant 12th man!
Hopefully Macca isn't out for too long.
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Post by gazz on Dec 30, 2022 1:10:01 GMT
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Post by autistichatter on Dec 30, 2022 9:23:14 GMT
That has to go down as a very good away win. Lump your money on County for promotion via the play-offs. Game in hand and 2 points behind teams that keep dropping points. It could happen. I think top 3 is a bit of a stretch though. Yeah a top 3 place requires a) County to repeat last season's long run of wins and b) one of the top 3 to collapse. Now neither of those are impossible, but both together is unlikely. That said, I thought in the summer that County had a playoff run in them, partly because County had a strong squad (and it's now even stronger) and also because there looked to be (and this has also been borne out) a lot of mediocrity in this division. Playoffs will be a good outcome from the season, even if it results in the traditional playoff exit. Even if that happens I think next season County would easily be a strong contender for automatic promotion in 2023/4. |
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Post by ceefer on Dec 31, 2022 11:32:38 GMT
Now that was a surprising;y good run on the M6 to and from the stadium. Nightmare getting a parking place and fleeced for £7. I left my ticket at home but luckily had the sale email from the club and the lady at the ticket office sorted things out. The programme is decent and a contender for best award. Decent size as well unlike County's where you need a magnifying glass to read what must be the smallest font in the world. Walsall are right up there with Charlton for the quietest fans. Football in the library. FFS get behind your club and create an atmosphere! I was surprised at how comfortable we were controlling the midfield and match. Great to see Bardsley play. Ben had just one great save to make. Their GK Evans was unsurprisingly their MotM. Positive signs that we made Walsall look very ordinary. Looking forward to the Grimsby match.
And random fact - we were not far from Dudley!
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Post by marketharborough on Dec 31, 2022 12:35:09 GMT
Michael Flynn (Walsall manager) very honest on BBC Radio WM after the match "beaten by a better side" "no excuses - a number of players off their best" "could not manage County" - always good to see a manager praise the opposition rather than just bemoan his own team's failings
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Post by gazz on Dec 31, 2022 12:54:04 GMT
Michael Flynn (Walsall manager) very honest on BBC Radio WM after the match "beaten by a better side" "no excuses - a number of players off their best" "could not manage County" - always good to see a manager praise the opposition rather than just bemoan his own team's failings Agreed, MHH, I always respect managers that tell it like it is and don't make excuses. Fair play to him. |
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Post by gazz on Dec 31, 2022 12:59:28 GMT
Going back to Macca, does anyone have any info regarding his injury and how long he's expected to be out?
I have read somewhere that DC has alluded to the fact that, because he's very slight in build, he's always going to be susceptible to these kind of injuries.
That may be a factor, but referees need to start clamping down early on players that are clearly targeting him, as he's been on the end of some horrendous challenges. Otherwise, what's the point in him carrying cards in his bloody pocket?
It needs sorting out before the lad gets seriously hurt.
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