Stockport vs Walsall and Taylor to Join Clough?

By Neil Ravenscroft
November 26 2004

Walsall will be seeking their first away win of the season in the League tomorrow and there will surely never be a better chance to break the team's duck than against rock bottom, managerless Stockport County. Meanwhile, Kris Taylor may be leaving.

County's record this season is played 18, won 2, drawn 4 and lost 12, with only one of those wins coming at home. What's worse is that their goal difference is a whopping minus 21, so they leak goals for fun and have trouble scoring, they've lost their manager this week with the departure of former Manchester United star and Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy and have just sold their top scorer, Luke Beckett, for a pittance. Even Walsall can't mess this one up, can they?

Player-Manager Paul Merson is faced with one major selection dilemma, with the return from suspension of this season's major find, centre back Julian Bennett. His replacement, Ian Roper, did well enough in last week's win at home to Peterborough, so Merson's final decision will be interesting. Michael Standing, who has been getting more impressive lately, picked up a thigh strain this week, but should be fit and there are no other injury problems, other than Richard McKinney still missing.

Merson has been talking in terms of playing a 4 4 2 tomorrow and dropping himself to the bench, but has no new resources to throw into the equation. He has been looking at loan signings, but, if he wants them available for the Christmas period, any one month loans would have to start next week. If he does change the formation it would likely to be a narrowish four in the middle, comprising of Standing, Osborn, Kinsella and Wrack. It will also be interesting to see which two he chooses up front from Birch, Leitao and Fryatt, as he does not seem to be looking at the option of a 4 4 1 1, with himself playing off the front man.

Caretaker Manager Mark Lillis' only worry is an injury to experienced midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson. The former Derby and Port Vale man is rated only 50 – 50.

My prediction? A clean sheet and three away points for the first time this season. Stockport 0 Walsall 2.

Meanwhile, Walsall are looking to arrange a loan for transfer listed Kris Taylor to Burton Albion for a month. Hopefully, this will give him a chance to put himself in the "shop window".