Match Preview: v Forest Green Rovers (H) Match Preview: v Forest Green Rovers (H)
Posted by: Bescot Banter

Match Preview: v Forest Green Rovers (H)

Attention turns to the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening as the Saddlers welcome Forest Green Rovers to WS1.
Don't forget to join us across our social media channels where we'll bring you all the matchday build-up, in-game updates, and post-match reaction as the Saddlers look to return to winning ways.

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

There are very few ways to describe the Saddlers' form as of late. Recently putting the much-fancied Bradford City to the sword only to be humiliated by bottom-of-the-table Sutton United last weekend.

Four first-half goals saw the Amber and Chocolates climb off the foot of the table - potentially giving their season a kick start in the process - whilst giving the gaffer yet another headache.

A string of season-low performances, coupled with as much bad luck as they could muster, and the Saddlers looked completely out of their depth.

With square pegs forced into round holes, the manager has to take some responsibility for his team's display, although he can hardly be to blame for some rather dismal performances from his chosen players.

Yes, it's already that time of the season for the players to put up or shut up as there are plenty of players waiting in the wings for their opportunity to shine and, if last weekend's display continues on Tuesday evening, we can see no reason for them to have to wait any longer.

WALSALL TEAM NEWS

The Saddlers remain without the services of Rollin Menayese, Brandon Comley, and Jack Earing as they continue to recover from injury, with Priestley Farquharson also missing out after suffering an Achilles issue a few weeks ago.

OPPOSITION NEWS

Opponents Forest Green Rovers have been in dismal for so far this season, winning just two of their twelve league outings, form that sees them sit at the foot of the table, though the Saddlers' defeat to former bommom side Sutton United went a long way to helping FGR slip to the bottom.

Despite their league form, Rovers sit second in our EFL Trophy group having won their only outing, a meeting with Shrewbury Town, by a comfortable three-goal margin back in September, and will no doubt be looking to add to the Saddlers' recent woes on Tuesday.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Walsall and Forest Green have met on just eight previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold a small head-to-head lead, having won four times, compared to Rovers' two.

There have also been two draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Banks's Stadium on Saturday, 10th August 2019 and saw James Hardy level the scores following Joseph Mills' late first-half penalty.

THE LAST TIME WE MET

The most recent meeting was a League Two clash that took place at Forest Green's Fully Charged New Lawn in Nailsworth on Saturday, 19th February 2022, and saw Walsall win by George Miller's twelfth minute goal to nil.

MATCH OFFICIALS

The EFL has confirmed that Stephen Parkinson who is based in Hertfordshire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Lewis Raper and Ollie Williams have been named assistant referees. Lewis Smith will act as Fourth Official.

GAMES
OFFICIATED
7
YELLOW
CARDS
RED
CARDS
32
1
PENALTIES
AWARDED
4

CATCH THE MATCH

If you're not planning on going to the game you can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of every Saddlers game.

As this match falls in midweek, UK-based Saddlers will be able to stream the match live on iFollow, with a Video Match Pass costing just £10!

Not an iFollow Walsall subscriber? There are a range of options available, including monthly, annual, and gift subscriptions. For further information on the service, or to set up your subscription, click HERE.
You can keep up to date with all the latest Walsall FC news across our social media channels, we're on 𝕏, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram. We also offer updates via Google News.
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