Northampton v Walsall

[EricSabin]

Will we ever lose another league game? Feel confident about this one, think on Sunday we put together our best league performance of the season with a lot more attacking allied with our defensive solidity. I'd like to see the same team.

Can we make it 31 undefeated? We will lose some day I suppose

 

[LordJord]

I have come to the realisation that we will never lose again. Therefore going for a 2-0 win for us, Revell and Beautyman.

 

[Shropshire Shoe]

Feeling positive for this game and Revell to score again for us. O Toole and Zakuani are available for selection again but will Page pick the same side that beat MK?

 

[Saddlerrad]

We can't defend, the fans have already lost interest and about 6 of our key players this season are already injured, going to be injured or could be injured at virtually any single point of any single game. That being said, it wouldn't surprise me to see us end the 30 unbeaten, in the last 4-5 years we have been very good at ending records, especially away from home. Not sure we have the personnel or have gelled well enough yet to get the win though and with Northampton's confidence high vs our very weak, very slow, woeful defence it could be a hammering.

My 1st away game of the season..

I just fancy lots of goals, if we go 1 down early, Northampton could put 6 or 7 passed us.

High score game, 458 Saddlers.

 

[LordJord]

We can't defend, the fans have already lost interest and about 6 of our key players this season are already injured, going to be injured or could be injured at virtually any single point of any single game. That being said, it wouldn't surprise me to see us end the 30 unbeaten, in the last 4-5 years we have been very good at ending records, especially away from home. Not sure we have the personnel or have gelled well enough yet to get the win though and with Northampton's confidence high vs our very weak, very slow, woeful defence it could be a hammering.

My 1st away game of the season..

I just fancy lots of goals, if we go 1 down early, Northampton could put 6 or 7 passed us.

High score game, 458 Saddlers.

How much of your money from selling Bradshaw/Henry has been reinvested? Is it just injuries that are causing the issues or do you just think that the manager is out of his depth?

 

[SaddlerJonny]

It'll be high scoring but we won't lose by 6 or 7, jesus christ lol.

I'll go for a 3-1 win to us, Revell for Northampton with Bakayoko starting and bagging a brace followed by a Morris screamer. I seem to remember us breaking quite a few runs and streaks over the past few years so I'll always be hopeful (or just blissfully optimistic).

 

[Saddlerrad]

How much of your money from selling Bradshaw/Henry has been reinvested? Is it just injuries that are causing the issues or do you just think that the manager is out of his depth?

About £200k + wages on Makris, then a slightly larger wage budget after some success in recent season. But we have made about £2.25m this summer, half goes on the youth system (no problem with that, our youth has produced quality in the last 5+ years; Deeney, Paterson, Grigg, Henry).. and supposedly half goes on the 1st team. So whether we see that reinvested through wages over the next couple of seasons or transfer fees, who knows.

A bit of both really. Whitney waffled on after our play-off surrender about bringing players in with more grit and determination, something physical about them when the going got tough. Rumours behind the scenes were that a lot of last seasons players were off this summer, but the ones that were 'in the middle' decided not to stay when Whitney got appointed permanently because of his 'management style' - he's more of an army motivator figure, which is great, but will wear off quickly with players who have to deal with him quickly.

His signings have been a mixture of great on paper, odd and risky. For example, he has signed some very good 'key' players, but they are all, or have been hit with injuries for a couple of years now (Franck Moussa, 2 games in 2 years, Florent Cuvelier, 18 games in 3 seasons, Isiah Osbourne, didn't kick a ball all of last season until the play-off semi finals) when you add in that our best centre back James O'Connor has been injured, Adam Chambers our captain stalwart and player of last season has barely played.. it's no surprise we are struggling. Unfortunately, other than those 'key' signings, he has filled the squad with untested 18 year olds from our youth or premier league loans, non of them look up to much currently. Our team on paper, certainly the front 6, is excellent and will create goals, but the back 4 or 5 is pretty terrible. Overall, so far, he speaks a much better game than has actually come to fruition so far, but with 14 odd new players, it will take time to gel so I won't be too harsh, yet. With our run coming up, I expect us to be very bottom by the end of October.

The best XI on paper, actually looks very good for a team with a bottom 6 budget..

Etheridge

Edwards
O'Connor
Toner
Laird

Chambers
Osbourne

Moussa
Oztumer
Morris

Jackson

(Makris, Cuvelier, Bakayoko etc to come off the bench) that looks a very good side for this level, especially going forward, but we can't get them all on the pitch together, fit and firing all at once. I suppose the positive of that is that we are much more entertaining than we have been for years, our last 2 games for example - 3-3 and 5-2, so we are capable going forward, but we need lots of time and not to get too badly beaten around confidence wise before the players get fit/gel properly.

 

[Saddlerrad]

It'll be high scoring but we won't lose by 6 or 7, jesus christ lol.

I'll go for a 3-1 win to us, Revell for Northampton with Bakayoko starting and bagging a brace followed by a Morris screamer. I seem to remember us breaking quite a few runs and streaks over the past few years so I'll always be hopeful (or just blissfully optimistic).

If they score first, or any team scores first early on, with the momentum they have at the moment, someone is going to spank us 5-6-7 in the next few weeks IMO. We look so fragile, low on confidence and terrible at the back. It won't take more than a bit of bad luck and we could be in one of those situations where we are 3-0 down after 30 minutes.

 

[Shropshire Shoe]

Out of interest Walsall fans how is Kieron Morris doing? I only ask because I actually work with a few of his mates and they seem to think he is well thought of there.

 

[4froale]

Out of interest Walsall fans how is Kieron Morris doing? I only ask because I actually work with a few of his mates and they seem to think he is well thought of there.

Hi Keiron

 

[Shropshire Shoe]

Hi Keiron

Hi 4froale can you come support Walsall instead please.

 

[loz]

Will we ever lose another league game? Feel confident about this one, think on Sunday we put together our best league performance of the season with a lot more attacking allied with our defensive solidity. I'd like to see the same team.

Can we make it 31 undefeated? We will lose some day I suppose

Just before we play you, we're going to re sign Nahki Wells.

 

[EricSabin]

Just before we play you, we're going to re sign Nahki Wells.

Ffs. Bradford 6-0 Northampton (Wells 12, 19, 33, 38, 67, 89).

 

[SaddlerJonny]

Out of interest Walsall fans how is Kieron Morris doing? I only ask because I actually work with a few of his mates and they seem to think he is well thought of there.

Doing really well and the educated guess from fans is that he will be the next off the production line to be sold in the future, i'd hope and guess that he will be getting double figures from wide right this season, he's more than good enough he just needs to sort out his shooting.

 

[Shropshire Shoe]

Doing really well and the educated guess from fans is that he will be the next off the production line to be sold in the future, i'd hope and guess that he will be getting double figures from wide right this season, he's more than good enough he just needs to sort out his shooting.

Thanks for that, hopefully we manage to keep him quiet on Saturday.

 

[AnotherSaddler]

Not optimistic about this.
We rarely cope well with forwards like Alex Revell.
Fellow Saddlers will remember the carnage Bradford's Hanson caused last season and Revell seems a similar type.

We have signed a lot of players (twelve?) since last June, but none of them are the dominant centre half that we have lacked since Andy Butler left.
I'd give young Matt Preston a game - purely because he is the only defender we have that could cope with Revell's physicality.

3-0 to Northampton.
Anyone know how far it is from the train station to Sixfields. Is it walkable?

 

[Shropshire Shoe]

Is a

Not optimistic about this.
We rarely cope well with forwards like Alex Revell.
Fellow Saddlers will remember the carnage Bradford's Hanson caused last season and Revell seems a similar type.

We have signed a lot of players (twelve?) since last June, but none of them are the dominant centre half that we have lacked since Andy Butler left.
I'd give young Matt Preston a game - purely because he is the only defender we have that could cope with Revell's physicality.

3-0 to Northampton.
Anyone know how far it is from the train station to Sixfields. Is it walkable?

Its about a 2 mile walk from the railway station so will take you a good 40 minutes from there.

 

[EricSabin]

Not optimistic about this.
We rarely cope well with forwards like Alex Revell.
Fellow Saddlers will remember the carnage Bradford's Hanson caused last season and Revell seems a similar type.

We have signed a lot of players (twelve?) since last June, but none of them are the dominant centre half that we have lacked since Andy Butler left.
I'd give young Matt Preston a game - purely because he is the only defender we have that could cope with Revell's physicality.

3-0 to Northampton.
Anyone know how far it is from the train station to Sixfields. Is it walkable?

Get a cab, won't cost a load. It's a relative quick journey round the ring road. Away fans are welcome at the pub on the complex (over from the burnt down Tavern) and also allowed at the bar at the ground

 

[LordJord]

Not optimistic about this.
We rarely cope well with forwards like Alex Revell.
Fellow Saddlers will remember the carnage Bradford's Hanson caused last season and Revell seems a similar type.

We have signed a lot of players (twelve?) since last June, but none of them are the dominant centre half that we have lacked since Andy Butler left.
I'd give young Matt Preston a game - purely because he is the only defender we have that could cope with Revell's physicality.

3-0 to Northampton.
Anyone know how far it is from the train station to Sixfields. Is it walkable?

Dont bother walking it as there is nothing in between other than the lift tower (which is hardly even a think). Takes all of 5 minutes in a taxi.

Revells goal scoring record has always been just ok really, but I think hes gonna get 15+ for us this season based on his performances.

 

[Indian Dan]

I used to love Revels as a kid - especially the coffee ones. Are they still called Revels or have they morphed like Marathon did with Snickers?

 

[dolph]

Was that you in the ad Dan? He had a Swindon sweatband on

 

[AnotherSaddler]

Our only experienced centre back, James O'Connor is missing this game due to a hamstring injury.
We'll be picking two from Matt Preston, Jason McCarthy (on loan from Southampton) and Kevin Toner (on loan from Villa)
They have less than 60 first team appearances between them (McCarthy has 40 odd of those, due mostly to a season long loan at Wycombe last season)

I'm changing my prediction to a 5-0 loss..

My thanks to the Northampton supporters for the info about the railway station, I'll be getting a cab, hope I can find one after the match!

 

[EricSabin]

Our only experienced centre back, James O'Connor is missing this game due to a hamstring injury.
We'll be picking two from Matt Preston, Jason McCarthy (on loan from Southampton) and Kevin Toner (on loan from Villa)
They have less than 60 first team appearances between them (McCarthy has 40 odd of those, due mostly to a season long loan at Wycombe last season)

I'm changing my prediction to a 5-0 loss..

My thanks to the Northampton supporters for the info about the railway station, I'll be getting a cab, hope I can find one after the match!

Book one for 5pm (before the game) from TGI Fridays at Sixfields. The traffic is usually at the top of the hill so if you get one from near the bottom you should get away okay. Or even if you want a lift give us a tenner and I'll take you!

 

[Saddlerrad]

Not 100% sure why I'm bothering to attend this, 30 unbeaten, no O'Connor, half an unfit side, conceding goals for fun.

Part of being a lower league fan though isn't it?

As I say.. if Northampton get 1 in the 1st 10 minutes, especially via a mistake or shit defending and we could fall apart and lose 5/6-0.

 

[LordJord]

Cant remember the last time we scored 5. I want to say Hartlepool at home a couple of years ago. From what you guys say with your CB's out I can see Revell dominating up top. Curious to see if John-Joe starts. I assume Zakuani will replace Nyatanga as well.

 

[WFC]

Not 100% sure why I'm bothering to attend this, 30 unbeaten, no O'Connor, half an unfit side, conceding goals for fun.

Part of being a lower league fan though isn't it?

As I say.. if Northampton get 1 in the 1st 10 minutes, especially via a mistake or shit defending and we could fall apart and lose 5/6-0.

Never known anyone so doom and gloom lol. We don't look good at the moment granted but to predict these 5/6-0 score lines is massively OTT isn't it really?

Who knows anyway, would obviously take a point, unfortunately not going due to funds !

 

[Saddlerrad]

Never known anyone so doom and gloom lol. We don't look good at the moment granted but to predict these 5/6-0 score lines is massively OTT isn't it really?

Who knows anyway, would obviously take a point, unfortunately not going due to funds !

I'm just saying if we concede early, I can see someone battering us, especially when you have the confidence of 30 games without defeating and just beating your local rivals behind you. No O'Connor either means we look even weaker at the back. Bury just put 3 passed us in 20 minutes, we conceded twice to Grimsby.

Could be totally wrong, we could easily break another long unbeaten streak, just on edge that if we concede early, someone is going to give us a spanking with how all over the place we look defensively. Hopefully Chambers and Osbourne will be fit to make us a bit stronger down the spine of the side.

 

[EricSabin]

I'm just saying if we concede early, I can see someone battering us, especially when you have the confidence of 30 games without defeating and just beating your local rivals behind you. No O'Connor either means we look even weaker at the back. Bury just put 3 passed us in 20 minutes, we conceded twice to Grimsby.

Could be totally wrong, we could easily break another long unbeaten streak, just on edge that if we concede early, someone is going to give us a spanking with how all over the place we look defensively. Hopefully Chambers and Osbourne will be fit to make us a bit stronger down the spine of the side.

I'll pull you up on calling MK our local rivals! Our rivals are Peterborough!

 

[WFC]

Absolute dog shit going by what I've been told.

Jon is simply out of his depth

 

[EricSabin]

That was really really easy. Etheridge stopped that from being embarrassing and it felt like we were back in League 2 dominating games. Walsall didn't have much anywhere on the pitch, apart from Otzumer who was by far the best player in the team. Walsall should be worried.

We were superb, defensively sound and McCourt and Matty Taylor oozing class in midfield. Revell did what Revell does, Gorre was frustrating, and Anderson and Beautyman were busy and creative. First goal was a great ball in from Beautyman and a lovely flicked header from Matty T, and the second was a definite handball and Revs tucked the penalty away.

31 league games unbeaten, unbelievable.