Clueless Saddlers Lose At Home

By Mister happy
March 12 2005

Walsall took the lead after only 9 seconds. However, they threw the game away through a total lack of leadership, direction and organisation. In fact, at times, they were clueless.

Paul Merson reverted to his favoured 4312 and played Standing in the advanced midfield role. The midfield trio was made up of Osborn, Kris Taylor and Wrack. Leitao partnered Fryatt up front.

Saddlers stormed into the lead after only 9 seconds with Matty Fryatt scoring from a swift move direct from kick off. Walsall then went on to dominate with some bright inventive play for the next 20 minutes.

During this period Bournemouth never had a sniff and Leitao missed an easy one on one with the keeper (shock!) and Standing lofted a shot onto the bar. Unfortunately that was as good as it got for Walsall as the Cherries then took control of the match.

Although they rarely threatened, Bournemouth dominated the midfield and brushed aside the weak Saddlers trio. They were gifted the entire pitch on which to play their football as Saddlers simply retreated to their own 18 yard line without as much as a challenge.

Inevitably, they equalised. A corner was delivered to the far post which was nodded across the six yard box where man mountain Fletcher was totally unmarked. He had the simple task of whacking the ball past Coleman.

The second half, from a Saddlers perspective, started in truly abysmal fashion. There was absolutely no organisation, no idea and no cohesion. As an attacking force we were null and void and as a defensive unit we were absent.

With Bournemouth in complete control Osborn for reasons only known to himself tripped a visiting attacker on the edge of the box. The free kick was hit ferociously by O’Connor into the bottom corner giving Coleman no chance.

Coleman, making his debut was then called upon to make 3 tremendous saves to keep Saddlers in with a shout. Realising we were being totally outplayed Merson decided to change things round.

He brought on Atieno for Standing and Daryl Taylor for the dreadful Osborn. His substitutions nearly had a dramatic impact on the game. Immediately after coming on Atieno headed towards goal only for Moss to somehow clear the ball off his line with his foot.

Saddlers were now looking lively having changed to a sort of 442 formation with the ineffective Leitao dropping onto the left flank. Atieno was managing to do what Leitao has failed to do all season. Win headers.

With Atieno causing problems for the otherwise untroubled Cherries defence Saddlers certainly had enough chances to win the game.

After good work from Daryl Taylor, Fryatt was released only for Moss to save well. Atieno then set up Wrack whose goal bound effort was turned away for a corner by the visiting keeper.

Moss then pulled off what can only be described as a world class saved to deny Atieno who powered a header towards the top corner.

Even though Saddlers were creating chances the midfield had disintegrated as a defensive unit completely and Bournemouth strolled forward to attack our goal at will. Only some good saves from Coleman kept Walsall in the match.

By now Walsall had reverted to the long ball to Atieno. One of his knock downs reached Surman (a replacement for the anonymous Standing) who struck the ball sweetly only to see his effort cannon back off the bar.

Despite numerous second half chances Saddlers were unable to find the equaliser. Overall Bournemouth were better organised, disciplined and probably deserved their three points.

However, if they have ambitions of promotion they will need to play a lot better against better quality sides than ourselves.

Despite having created numerous second half chances this was a pretty clueless Saddlers performance. There were times when our football would have embarrassed the Conference.

Totally lacking in leadership on the pitch Merson has to ditch the so called experienced players before he himself is shown the door.

Osborn is a disgrace. He is a pretender. He does lots of pointing but refuses to take any responsibility on the pitch. When we had a throw in – in the Bournemouth half, Osborn was the only player available. What did he do? Ran off as far away as possible and hid amongst some Bournemouth midfielders. Outrageous.

Leitao is a disgrace. He runs about a lot and tries to look interested. Unfortunately he doesn’t do what he is paid for.

Aranalde. Enough said.

Talking of full backs, if Mark Wright is a quality right back then I am a kettle. This bloke has just been given a two year contract!!

The team today were totally lacking in leadership and direction. The organisation and method of play was appalling.

Sort it out Merse, your honeymoon is well and truly over.