A Tale of the unexpected : Derby Preview

By 4two
January 9 2003

For the majority of Saddlers fans this is the biggest game of the season, and the same could be said for Wolves fans who now have to accept that we are the opposition in the Black Country derby because the Albion have gone Premier League.

Walsall (19th) Vs Wolves (10th)
Competition : Nationwide League Div 1. Date & Time: 11.1.03 - 3.00pm
Tickets: Wolves sold their 2500, but due to the clubs ticket policy many floating fans who would have usually come will have been put off. TheSaddlersFC expect a gate of anything between 8500-10000
	Directions (Road): You cannot miss the stadium if you travel along the M6. It is just off Junction 9, then the A461 road leads you round to the Stadium. It is well signposted from the Motorway. You can Leave at Junction 10, it takes longer but it is also sign posted. It is a 20 minute walk from the town centre, and it is also served by its own Station "Bescot Stadium Station". If you want to get the bus, the 529 from Wolves gets you to Walsall town centre, then you need to 405 which stops twice in the stadium vicinity.. (Guide to Bescot)
News: Lee is without Birch (Groin) and Leitao (Suspended), this leaves him short of striking options. He could stick with the 4-4-2 and play Aussie international Zdrilic along side flamboyant Brazilian Junior, or go 4-1-1 with Corica behind one the two available strikers. We expect a 4-4-2 with Junior and Driller up front.
News: Jones recalled Adam Proudlock back from his Loan Spell with Sheffield Wednesday this week, and he will play some part in Saturdays proceedings.  Defender Butler picked up a knock in the cup tie, if he does not recover young defender Clyde will take his place. Michael Branch got a mid-week hatrick in the Birmingham senior cup and with Blake and Sturridge out injured he has made a strong claim for a place.
Head2Head Records Walsall       Wolverhampton Wanderers Ven Versus Pos A 1 - 1 Nottm Forest D 5 A 2 - 3 Ipswich L 16 H 0 - 1 Sheff United L 5 A 1 - 2 Norwich L 4 H 2 - 0 Wimbledon W 11 H 3 - 1 Grimsby W 21 A 2 - 3 Portsmouth L 1 H 1 - 0 Gillingham W 15 A 2 - 3 Wimbledon L 15 A 0 - 2 Leicester L 2 Ven Versus Pos H 1 - 1 Derby D 17 H 1 - 2 Bradford L 20 A 1 - 2 Burnley L 15 A 1 - 1 Millwall D 17 H 0 - 2 Coventry L 14 H 1 - 0 Norwich W 4 A 0 - 0 Rotherham D 10 H 2 - 1 Nottm Forest W 4 A 2 - 0 Coventry W 8 H 1 - 1 Brighton D 24
one2watch: Goalkeeper Jim Walker relishes the big occasions and proved last week how valuable he is for the Saddlers.  Their is no doubt that Wolves are going to create chances, and if Walsall have a player that can influence the game it will be Walker if he is on the top of his game. A great shot stopper who commands his box well, Jim is one the best around.
one2watch: Wolves fans insisted that when Mark Kennedy returned from Injury he would kick start their season. Up and till last week you could have been forgiven for putting this down to typical Wolves excuses, but last Saturday we saw why they rate him so highly. Kennedy put in a splendid performance against Premiership Newcastle and topped a fine game off with a well taken goal. Bazeley Vs Kennedy will be one of many interesting duels on the 11th.
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Strikers in Focus Junior 25 Nathan Blake 9 8 Goals 9 20 Games Played 16 0.4 Goals Per Game Average 0.56 7 Total Games Scored In 6 6 Games Scored 1 Goals 4 1 Games Scored 2 Goals 1 0 Games Scored 3 Goals 1 2 Scoring Run (games) 1 6 Dry Spell (games) 2
Last Time 3-0 14/8/02 - Nationwide League Division 1
P W D L F A GD P Last 5 Walsall 5 1 1 3 6 7 -1 4 DLLLW Wolves 5 0 2 3 4 8 -4 2 DLLDL
The Verdict: Their is no doubting the side that will take the field on Saturday is stronger than the one that played the Wolves last time round. Last time round we all thought the Wolves would cruise most of the season in the top six, flirting with automatic promotion. Both sides are not in their best run of form, but the Wolves seemingly have the edge after Saturdays dramatic win against Premiership Newcastle. The big question is which Wolves side will turn up? We know the fans will turn up with their confident, boisterous (some might say cocky and over confident) heads on, but will the team take this attitude and again trip up against a smaller club? Complacency was the disease that spread through the club like a virus last season, and an experienced manager like Dave Jones should ensure his team do not go down this path again. It will be a tough game in tough conditions, both sides like to get the ball on the floor and play and the Bescot surface is not going to let this happen. Both sides will need to call on their experienced players, Walker, Roper, O'Connor and Corica for the Saddlers, and Ince, Irwin, Cameron and Blake for the Wolves, and the performances of these players could well decide who comes out on top.
PREDICTION: Saddlers 0-0 Wolves
What do the Dingles Say?