Merson Radio WM Phone-In - Highlights and Issues

By WS10
January 6 2006

We bring you news of what Merse had to say on this evenings Radio WM phone in. The Walsall boss took time out to answer the calls of Walsall fans. We give you a guide to what was covered.

^{The general tone of the phone in was positive with most of the callers wanting to wish Merse all the best. They appreciated the work going on and many took time to  praise his interview at the Bristol game. Merse said how proud he was of the fans, even the "20 or so" who had been giving him hassle recently.} 

^{Asked about "humiliating" players in the WM Interview...}

• ^{He didn't think it was humiliation and none of the players echoed those thoughts.}
• ^{He said that they'd humiliated themselves and him.}

 

^{Why have we been so negative away from home - why so many long balls - why the negative formations.....} 

• ^{He wants us to pass the ball, " i don't ask anyone to kick the ball long".}
• ^{He mentioned the sheer pace we had last year and that the system hasn't worked so well without it this year.} 
• ^{Players have been out of position because he had no other option.}

 

^{Chopping and changing the team, players out of position.....}

• ^{He wouldn't do it if he didn't have to}
• ^{The goalkeeping situation showed how bad it had been}
• ^{Pead played left back because he was more competant than Westwood. Merse didn't want Westwood under more pressure.} 

 

^{On Ian Roper...}

• ^{Stories about him not getting is contract renewed are false}
• ^{He'll get a new one when this one runs out.}
• ^{He's wanted him in the team from Day one}
• ^{He deserves 8000 people turning up for his testimonial}

 

^{On Paul Smith....}

• ^{Merse was planning on him being a central figure}
• ^{A bustling, tough, ball winning midfielder}
• ^{The traveling was no good}

 

^{On Ishmel Demontagnac....} 

• ^{He'll have learnt a valuable lesson in the last week or two.} 
• ^{He's playing for the Youth Team tomorrow - not the first team.}
• ^{Merse says there's  a bit of himself in Ishmel. He has a rebellious streak.} 

 

^{Why is Westwood Captain....}

• ^{He is the club captain, he is great around the training ground and dressing room.}
• ^{He hasn't been setting the world alight but his attitude is spot on}
• ^{He has had the chance to move on but doesn't want to.} 

 

^{Outgoing players....}

• ^{Jules and Matty expected to leave.} 
• ^{Bennett is talking to Forest, Matty Fryatt to a Championship Club} 
• ^{The Fryatt fee may not match those of McLeod and Tyson but it might be because he lacks the pace which is the "be all and all" these days}
• ^{Walsall are not in a position to hold out for a bigger fee on either player.} 
• ^{Crowds are down so money is tight.} 
• ^{The club hasn't sold anyone since Ricketts.} 
• ^{Merse had learnt a lesson when it came to dealing out new contracts. 2 year deals take away hunger.} 
• ^{When asked how much of the money he would be using, he didn't expect to see all that much.} 

 

^{On the new players....}

• ^{The ages aren't an issue because they're all hungry lads.} 
• ^{He hopes they impress enough to maybe stay on another season}

 

^{On getting a new striker....}

• ^{Merse is looking at getting 1, if not two in as soon as possible. A deal for Devlin has fell through.}
• ^{He has enquired about Peschisolido}

 

^{On Madds Timm....}

• ^{He's hungry and as "good as i've seen for a while}
• ^{He's the same kind of player as Eric Skora, and like i used to be}
• ^{Merse says "He can play, you won't have seen a player like him at the Bescot for a long while.} 

 

^{On Joe Murphy....}

• ^{Mick McCarthy has told Merson that if he can get a goalkeeper during the Window then Walsall can sign Joe Murphy.}

 

^{On the Barnsley Tie....}

• ^{We'll be fielding a team as strong as it's been for some time.}