Match Preview - Torquay United

By Neil Ravenscroft
August 27 2004

Walsall's adventures in League One take them to a ground they haven't visited for nearly ten years and have a poorish record at, but a game against one of the favourites for relegation means a need for points in the bag.

Walsall head for the South Coast and a meeting with Torquay United this Saturday with the Manager already saying that this is a “must win” game and that we must be looking for a six point return from the Bank Holiday weekend.

Leroy Rosenior's team have been struggling so far this season, with a meagre haul of one point from their four games, together with a League Cup tonking, but Walsall's own return of one point from their travels doesn't inspire much confidence either.

Player-manager Paul Merson rang the changes in the mid week League Cup encounter with Sheffield Wednesday, but only new boy Kofi Danikah, as a possible replacement for the off form Darren Bazeley, and Spanish defender Zigor Aranalde seem to have pressed their claim for inclusion. Merson has said, however, that he will ring the changes, with two games in three days and the need to get a home win on Monday.

Torquay's defensive record is poor this season and Walsall have been scoring for fun, despite their frailties in defence, but teenage scoring sensation Matt Fryatt is carrying a knock and Daryl Taylor looks in need of a rest, despite his lightening start to the season. Creativity is also a problem, with Merson himself out of form and Aussie Steve Corica injured.

Prediction? It should be a Walsall win, especially if we have pretensions of promotion this season and Torquay looking likely relegation candidates, but, at the moment, I wouldn't like to hazard a guess!