Walsall Vs Tranmere Rovers Preview

By Alan Stokes
December 27 2004

Having suffered defeat in the first match of the festive programme against the Owls, Walsall need to bounce back and send Tranmere packing up the M6 pointless. Easier said than done.

Next up at Bescot is the visit of high flying Tranmere Rovers. This will certainly be a tough test for the Saddlers as Tranmere lie third in the table. However, whilst they boast a very good home record undefeated in 6, their results on the road have been less impressive with only 2 victories from 6 outings.

Recent results away from Prenton Park include a 3-1 defeat at Vale Park and an impressive 6-1 hammering away at Hull.

They got their festive programme underway picking up a home point against a hard working Barnsley outfit.

If Walsall are to get anything from this match then the ageing McAteer will need to be well shackled and Aranalde will have to keep ex fans favourite Paul Hall quiet. Somehow I don’t think Mr. Hall will be losing too much sleep.

With Marvellous Marvin scoring for fun Rovers could well be leaving Bescot having been given a footballing lesson. Let’s hope so anyway.

New loan signing McShane will hopefully start again after his impressive Hillsborough showing. Not just a solid defender he looks extremely dangerous in the opposition penalty box.

Merson will need to decide whether to keep him as a central defender or ship him out to the right fullback slot with Bennett returning from suspension.

With Wright’s defensive weaknesses becoming a liability Merson needs to act and he now has the ideal opportunity to do so with McShane available..

If only Santa could have left us a left sided option as well !

Another interesting point is whether or not Merson can play 2 games in 48 hours. Having played the full 90 minutes against Wednesday will he start himself against Rovers? If not, we could well see the return of “Harry” Herivelto.

PREDICTION: Walsall 1 Tranmere 1