Crewe Vs Walsall

[Crewelad87]

Expecting a tough game here. Bar the cup game midweek, Walsall seem a pretty solid side. We were better than the Plymouth scoreline showed and we've proved that Vs Oldham and Forest Green. I still think we look abit suspect at the back but going forwards we've created alot and Porter is starting to find the net regularly.

Crewe 2-1 Walsall (Powell, Porter, Lavery)

5088 (1,250 Saddlers)

 

[TimeyWimey]

High scoring game. Porter offsides over 10.5. Walsall to have a man sent off.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

We always seem to have a really boring home game in August in recent years (Vale 0-0 in 2015, Portsmouth 0-0 in 2016, Barnet 1-0 win in 2017, MK Dons 0-0 in 2018) and this is the one where I reckon it'll end 0-0 or 1-1. I think the Bradford home game at the end of the month will be quite entertaining in comparison to this one given how strange their season seems to have started.

I think Walsall will end up with one of the best defensive records in the division. The reasons for this are twofold. 1. Darrell Clarke is a tactically astute manager who always builds from the back and 2. Jon Guthrie was sent packing, a move which also improved our defence as well when he left us in 2017. But I don't see many goals in this Walsall side at this current moment in time I must say.

If we take our chances, we'll win. But I can see us being very energetically wasteful in this game and it'll come back to bite us on the arse.

 

[Big Bird]

Wunall

 

[SaddlerJonny]

1-0 Walsall, another defensive masterclass I think and we will nick a goal early on and then it will be backs to the wall just like Northampton.

However it James Hardy starts like a lot of Walsall fans have been hoping after he was class in pre season and changed the game both against FGR and on Tuesday against Crawley, then it could be a completely different game. We dealt with Northampton's big man in that Smith really well to Porter doesn't scare me all that much, it's the faster small forwards that catch us on the counter that worries me more after Tuesday, though we did have a slightly changed team.

 

[Crewelad87]

1-0 Walsall, another defensive masterclass I think and we will nick a goal early on and then it will be backs to the wall just like Northampton.

However it James Hardy starts like a lot of Walsall fans have been hoping after he was class in pre season and changed the game both against FGR and on Tuesday against Crawley, then it could be a completely different game. We dealt with Northampton's big man in that Smith really well to Porter doesn't scare me all that much, it's the faster small forwards that catch us on the counter that worries me more after Tuesday, though we did have a slightly changed team.

We don't particularly play Porter like a league 2 big forward. We won't be pumping aimless high balls up to him. We use our other pacey forwards. Kirk, Powell, Ainley and Dale. Porter is almost more of a poacher.

 

[JJ1532]

Hard to know how this one will go. Games against Walsall are usually tight, low scoring affairs. Could do with avoiding back to back home defeats to start the season.

Looks like we have a clean bill of health, which is much needed. Same team as last Saturday would do nicely. Need to sharpen up at the back and take the chances when they come upfront. Would probably take a point.

 

[The Alex]

Very pleased with our last 2 results away from home, but have a feeling this game will have an air of the Plymouth game. Walsall win for me.

 

[Crewelad87]

Can we wear our gold kit at home

 

[Crewelad87]

Walsall sold about 1300 tickets for this so another big away following at Gresty rd is good to see. To think this will probably be the smallest following of our 1st 4 home games of the season, it's good to see the away stand full, it doesn't tend to happen often down here. It will be back down to earth when Salford rock up next month.

 

[Saddlerrad]

Lavery gets a start, well deserved. Can’t believe DC had dropped Adebayo to the bench and left Gordon in. Kiersey and Jules in the starting XI though? Can only think that’s down to players not being 100%. Jules was horrendous on Tuesday in his 1st appearance for the club and Kiersay hasn’t made the 18 after a pre-season that was labelled an aberration by those who watched.

Very odd from DC, 1st time I completely disagree with his stating XI.

Crewe will beat that XI today.

 

[Crewelad87]

Pretty much as expected, back to the same 11 that b at Oldham last week. Also our bench is looking strong now, a few player on there that can change the game if needed.

 

[Saddlerrad]

One of the most boring halves in living memory. Terrible from both sides. Why on earth we are suddenly hoofing it to 5ft6 midgets is beyond me. Kiersey has been terrible, Sinclair anonymous. Gordon tried hard but he’s poor.

Adebayo and hardy on please.

 

[Crewelad87]

A good win, thought we edged it 2nd half in what was a very tight game. Abit of a debate able goal Nolan looked offside but not sure if the ball to him came off a Walsall player.

Walsall were exactly what I thought they would be. Very organised and compact. Not much cutting edge though, they look like they will struggle to score many.

A great reaction after the opening day loss, two league wins and through you n the cup. Onwards and upwards.

 

[The Alex]

Goal was so offside but we had plenty of chances to finish the game. Ref did his very best to get Walsall back in the game, absolutely disgraceful officials once again.

Good week for us, 3 wins.

 

[TimeyWimey]

Terrible first half but we strolled much of the second half and should have made it easier for ourselves. Jaaskalainen and defence had a decent enough game, coped well despite a complete shit show of a first 15 or so minutes. In all a good win against a team who will probably be around the play-off picture at the end of the season. Seeing nothing to suggest we can't be there too.

Referee though had an absolute nightmare for both sides. Alan Young, terrible mate.

 

[Saddlerrad]

One of the worst standard of all round games in general and performances from us I can remember. Just such a lack of quality. I’m sure League 2 never used to be this bad.

The goal should never have stood and Crewe’s counter attack chances probably don’t exist at 0-0.

Cast iron 0-0 sort of game.

Until we get ourselves a creative midfielder and striker we will continue to struggle. Plenty of energy and a solid defence, but nothing upfront and when we do create chances, the strikers are terrible.

My first question marks against DC today. Starting Gordon over Adebayo, very strange. Kiersey over Liddle too. He wants 2-3 more signings, one of them has to be a poacher of a forward.

Dismal.

 

[SaddlerJonny]

Very poor game, should have won with our first half chances from Lavery, Scarr, Gordon etc. Shocking decision for their goal and suddenly we're chasing the game and becoming really open. Should have won but should have got a point at least. Crewe looked tidy but I wasn't overly impressed. Only team that I have seen so far who looked half way good was Crawley on the counter attack which makes us ending up with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses really, really disappointing for me.

 

[dannyc5]

Just seen the replay of the goal. At the time, I thought it was offside. However, it was clearly onside. Ng struck it, it hit Powell who was onside. It then hit a Walsall player, and rebounded to Nolan. Excellent decision from an otherwise pathetic team of officials.

 

[The Alex]

Yeah comes off 2 Walsall players before it gets to Nolan, not offside, legal goal. He should have left it for Porter anyway who was in an onside position.

We played poorly today, especially 1st half but we still managed to hurt them 2nd half, saw the game through and were rarely troubled.

 

[Crewelad87]

Just watched the highlights. Definitely not offside. Not sure how Lowery misses later on either, il let him off though as he's an absolute class act.

 

[saddler78]

it was offside the from the first shot from outside the box which led to the goal watch it again and see what you think.

 

[saddler78]

not making excuses either thought we were generally poor today.

 

[Super_horns]

You need VAR..



Gives offside for a little toe being out of line .

 

[dannyc5]

it was offside the from the first shot from outside the box which led to the goal watch it again and see what you think.

That phase of play ended when the ball came back out of the box, and restarted when it came off your player.

 

[Crewelad87]

it was offside the from the first shot from outside the box which led to the goal watch it again and see what you think.

Surely he can only be offside from a shot, if he's interfering with play. Which he wasn't, the ball never hit him, didn't effect the keepers trying to save the shot. Plus it's actually debateable he was offside then as it was close. Then he definitely can't be offside after that as the ball to him is from a Walsall player.

I think we just about deserved it regardless. It was the poorest we've played this season by far, so for us grind out a 1-0 win not playing our best is very pleasing. It's exactly the type of game we usually get beat in.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

I know we weren't at our best but I felt we deserved to win that game. We forced Roberts to make a few good stops whereas Jaaskelainen was rarely troubled by a Walsall side who huffed and puffed but significantly lacked in end product.

Very happy to win that game because we've lost an awful lot of those types of games under Artell. Tranmere away was a big example of that last season. Good finish for a centre half like Nolan too.

We really need to start converting chances though because sides with a lot going for them up front will punish us otherwise. But I've been happy with our performances in the last week and it's now onwards to Crawley for what will hopefully be another three points!

 

[JJ1532]

The thing is, I don't think many teams have a lot going for them up top. Only 8 teams are averaging more than a goal a game after 3 and whilst I'm sure that will change, it's been a very low scoring open to the season. This is something to watch given the pitches are smooth, the weather is favourable and the players are fit and fresh.

Didn't watch the game, but happy to see us grind out a result. I'd agree that the goal is onside. The intial shot is offside, but as it hits a Walsall player, it means it's a new phase of play and Nolan can't be offside. Nice first time finish, maybe he can teach the forwards(outside of Porter) a thing or two.

Important win with a long trip to Crawley and then 3 tough games against Newport, Villa and Bradford to finish the month.