Listless and Pointless - Chesterfield v Walsall

By Despondent Correspondent
September 18 2004

This might have been the day that Walsall's season was kickstarted with an away win against a team missing two of their best defenders. It wasn't.

Any thoughts of an automatic return to the Championship were put on hold at sunny Saltergate today as Walsall put on a dreadful performance against a functional but basic Spireite side.

Strangely, Merson decided to employ our best midfielder this season as left back whilst giving Mark Wright his first start of the season on the opposite defensive flank. The central pairing was Emblen and Bennett.

Merson continued with the 4312 formation that has proved fruitless on previous travels with the midfield trio of Osborn, Kinsella and Standing playing behind Leitao and Fryatt.

Let me be very clear about this. Chesterfield are not a particularly good team. They are a very ordinary side that manage to do the basics well which speaks volumes when you follow up by saying that they were miles better than the Saddlers. They attacked the flanks and in Campbell-Ryce they possess a player that will torment most League one defences.

Whilst Chesterfield were simple and functional the Saddlers were intricate and sloppy conceding easy possession on far too many occasions. Chesterfield fired a shot across Saddlers bows as early as the 10th minute when Campbell-Ryce skipped around the ineffective Emblen and launched a thunderbolt that Paston spectacularly tipped over his bar.

Minutes later, Emblen was extremely lucky not to receive a red card. Hopelessly exposed for pace he scythed down Campbell-Ryce and as the last man should have received his marching orders. He got away with a yellow. He then followed this up by hauling a Spireite to the ground with the ref deciding to turn a blind eye. Merson made the right decision in replacing him with Roper at half time.

It was no surprise then when Chesterfield took the lead. Trying to play the offside trap Walsall came unstuck. Bennett stood statuesque with arm aloft while Chesterfield continued and put the ball in the net as Saddlers defenders attempted to track back.

Walsall did however get a goal of their own. Unfortunately the linesman and ref blew up for offside even before the ball left the strikers foot so I won't even cry foul play.

As an attacking force Saddlers were null and void. Apart from one good effort that Muggleton held on to they were limited to the odd scrambled effort. Very poor fare indeed.

The second half continued in much the same way. Saddlers huffed and puffed and gave the ball away. Osborn in particular was shocking and should have been hauled off in disgrace as time and time again he lost possession. Kinsella was none too convincing either as he was a yard off the pace. He wasn't closing down the midfield and wasn't creating either. Therefore what purpose was he serving?

The only midfielder who seemed interested was Standing who must have been mightily miffed when he was replaced by Taylor D. To bring on Taylor was the right decision, but not at the expense of Standing (unless injured) and not to make up a midfield three.

Walsall marginally improved during the second half and were unlucky not to equalise. Leitao ran the length of the pitch only to lose the ball in the penalty box; he also had a glorious chance which Muggleton somehow forced wide of the post.

As the match wore on Walsall became the more adventurous side without looking entirely convincing. A few crosses went straight through the six yard box with no-one in the right place to tap the ball home.

As the match was drawing to a close Roper climbed highest at a corner but put the ball millimetres over with Muggleton beaten. As the fourth official announced 4 minutes of time remained a loud gasp was heard from the home end. It looked as though Walsall were going to equalise as the Spireites defended deeper and deeper. Sadly, it was not to be.

Overall, it was a very poor performance. In defeat I can normally find positives. Today, there were none other than Paston who looked reliable and Mark Wright. Wrighty played reasonably well but unfortunately suffered from the "giving the ball away too easily" disease.

With Merson hiding in his hole Walsall were a man short today. And it showed. We looked a very poor League One side that deserve the 20th position currently occupied.

However, should we go on to tonk Brentford 4-0 next week; things will look a whole lot better.