It's Just Like Watching Real Madrid.

By Neil Ravenscroft
August 11 2003

For those new to the site, I always like to leave some considered match reaction until Monday. It doesn't make any difference today.

My favourite ever Walsall footballing performance was always the day we played Arsenal off their own park in the League Cup - until Saturday.

In forty years of following the Saddlers, I have never seen a team in the red and white that can pass the ball as well as this current outfit. And this on a day when I thought Osborn and Merson weren't finding their men as well as usual!

So on with the opinions: -

Jimmy Walker. What can you say? Three great saves, one of which (the last from Koumas) was World Class. Only beaten by a deflection.

Bazeley. A classy perfomance as the "spare" man at the back, once Roper had gone off.

Emblen. Majestic. No other word for it. If he hadn't have arrived slightly early to a Merson corner, would even have capped it off with a goal.

Roper. Not on long enough.

Hay. Must have learned from marking Henry in the Confederations Cup, as he was solid.

Aranalde. It wasn't him, was it? Surely it was a Spanish International in disguise?

Wrack. Great wing back performance, as he was the reason Clement never got forward.

Samways. Sheer class. Hasn't lost any ability and has learned even more in Spain. Ran midfield.

Osborn. Couldn't get his best passing range going, but worked his socks off and a great run for the goal.

Merson. What can you say about those two finishes? That's what he gives you. I don't think he found a red shirt between his goals, as his passing was off, but he killed the game with two sublime finishes instead!

Corica. Eat your words, those who slag him off! Brilliant performance, worried them all day. As for committment, what about when he chased the ball down so far, he went over the wall? Goal of the game, for me.

Leitao. Worked his socks off and deserved that goal.

Birch. Did OK when he came on.

Oakes. If we loose any of the midfield, we have a more than adequate replacement!

Colin Lee. Tactics spot on. Team selection spot on.

Albion. Too depedant on Koumas. No one who can pass the ball.

Megson. Wrong tactics, wrong team selection (Dichio!!!???!!!).

The Crowd. Bescot was rocking! The Purple Stand is getting some atmosphere.

The Ref. Some wierd decisions. Can anyone tell me why Greagan didn't walk for his second half assault on Corica? I presume it was because he wasn't the last man, but I thought the tackle was worth a red. At least he was sympathetic to the taking on of water in those conditions.

Man of the Match? Merson for his goals? Corica or Samways for running the midfield? Jim for his saves? No, my vote has already gone to the rock at the back, the immense Neil Emblen.

Roll on 12th place (or better!).