The Week that was....

By OneNil
February 2 2003

In 'The Week That Was....', I'll be looking at...the week that was. There will be a look back at the highs and lows from Bescot, a look at some football further a field and also a chance to reminisce. 

The Week That Was....

The week in question began last Saturday when some lonely Wombles came to Walsall. But there was nothing much to write home about as far as the actual game went. Bazeley and Aranalde were given the freedom of the park in which to strut their stuff while Gareth Ainsworth made a vain attempt to halt his former (and hopefully future) employers with one foray into the box. Oh and David Zdrilic scored the only goal to send us through to Round 5 of the F.A. Cup. Elsewhere the Baggies crashed out to Watford, Wolves scraped through against Leicester (4-1) and West Ham embarrassed themselves at Old Trafford. Then came Shrewsbury v Chelsea but there was to be no great shock and all neutrals switched off in disappointment after Chelsea notched a 4-0 victory.

While Monday is usually a grim day, this particular Monday we had 'the draw' to look forward to. Opinions were divided as to whether we wanted ManUtd/Arsenal/Liverpool/Chelsea (delete as appropriate) or perhaps Rochdale first and then the BIG club. As it was, we got neither. Instead lucky rivals Wolves drew Rochdale and some more lucky rivals, Stoke, got Chelsea. We were left with the scant consolation of knowing that Sheffield United would at least be easier than Old Trafford. There's always next year though!

On Wednesday night it snowed... "What's this got to do with football?" you might wonder. Well in fact we were in the middle of having the 'Bescot Beach' turned into 'The green green grass of home'. The contractors moved in on Saturday night, dug it all up and the new turf had all been laid by Friday. Now we have a sparkling new carpet on which to display our sublime skills...well at least there'll be no repeat of the mishap v Wolves. 

Colin Lee failed in his bid to get yellow cards for Junior and Wrack overturned, Martinez moved to Swansea and Javary recovered from tonsillitis. The reserves lost 1-2 at Rotherham despite taking the lead through youngster Karl Hawley. Karl was recalled by Colin Lee following a loan spell at Raith Rovers and managed eight goals from seventeen starts, although these exploits were not enough to get him a place on the bench against Brighton despite Lee being without both Junior and Birch.

Junior has been in Brazil all week sorting out international clearance; one local newspaper, obviously short of news, decided to scare us with reports Junior might not get clearance in time to play again this season but thankfully everything went a ok. Not content with playing with our emotions once only, the same newspaper then gave us false hope that Darren Huckerby  would be joining our squad...but if we can't afford Lee Mills, could we really afford 'Huck'? Then at the 11th hour, Ricketts moved to the Riverside and Walsall received some dosh...perhaps Huckerby could be on his way after all...

Not much else happened in the transfer window but then  it doesn't actually apply to many clubs; we can sign players from fellow Nationwide Leaguers, get someone in on loan from the Premiership or snap up players without contracts. Blues splashed out but Albion didn't, Blues will probably survive in the Premiership whilst Albion probably won't. Woodgate moved to Newcastle (what's the nightlife like up there? I'm not old enough to have experienced it yet!), while Christie and  Riggot left Derby...it must have been a hard decision for them as they will now be unable to play on the Bescot carpet!

There was going to be a look at some football from abroad but look, I've run out of room. You're all probably bored of my ramblings by now anyway  so I'll sign off with these pictures - 1)Remember out manager back in the mid-nineties...and 2)Better make sure none of these get on the carpet at Bescot!

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