Attention returns to League Two this weekend as the Saddlers make the trip to Meadow Lane as they get set to take on promotion-chasing Notts County.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
After failing to overcome National League North opponents in midweek, the Saddlers have their backs to the walls as they look to secure what would be their first win in seven league games as Mat Sadler's side continue to struggle.
Briefly reflecting on Tuesday's goalless draw with Alfreton Town, a match that was originally scheduled to take place last weekend before referee Sam Allison opted for a late postponement, the Reds appeared a shell of the team that comfortably dispatched Sheppey United in the First Round.
Lofted passes and runs down blind alleys, coupled with a constant lack of composure in midfield, and Sadler's side was probably lucky to leave the match with their hopes of facing Southampton in the Third Round still intact.
This weekend's meeting with Notts County has all the makings of a must-win for the gaffer. Winless in six and with barely a goal to go around, his team has quite simply failed to give even the rosiest-tinted spectacled fan a glimmer of hope.
With the matches beginning to pile up, the next few weeks will be make or break for many in WS1, and the manager is just one of those who should be looking over their shoulder as we near the halfway point in the 2023/24 campaign.
Whilst the money will hardly be flowing, especially as Trivela continues to concentrate their efforts on Drogheda United, there are far too many issues with this team for the powers that be to simply do nothing.
Be it at the back, in midfield, or in attack, we need more, and its almost time for our owners to put their money where their mouths are. After all, what good is a stadium if there is barely a team to play in it?
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
Walsall will be without goalkeeper Owen Evans as he continues to work his way back from a calf strain.
After suffering a knee injury on New Year's Day, Jack Earing has finally returned to the fold, leaving Aramide Oteh as the only long-term absentee.
Danny Johnson missed the draw with Alfreton through a shoulder injury and will be assessed closer to kick-off.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents, Notts County sit sixth in the League Two table, just six points off the top of the table, and will be going in search of their second win in as many games as they hope to build upon their recent win over Crawley Town.
After exiting the Emirates FA Cup at the hands of Welsh side Shrewsbury Town, County will be in determined mood and, as they prepare to face a team that is in dire form, stand a very good chance of at least maintaining the gap between them and table-toppers Stockport County.
Scoring fifteen goals across twenty-two first-team appearances, Notts striker Macaulay Langstaff will be the one to watch this weekend, the former Gateshead and York City man has more-than proven his worth at this level and has more than enough scope to rise yet further up the pyramid.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Notts County have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
NOTTS COUNTY
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WALSALL |
LLWLW
| DLLDL
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HEAD-TO-HEAD
Of the sixty-four previous meetings, it's Notts County that hold the overall lead with twenty-five wins to the Saddlers' twenty-two, There have also been seventeen draws during the fixture's history.
Their first meeting took place on Saturday, 20th January 1894, and ended 2-0 to the Magpies. The two sides' second meeting, which took place at Fellows Park, on Monday, 12th March 1894 ended 2-1 to the Saddlers, who were then known as Walsall Town Swifts.
Walsall won four, drew one, and lost five of the first ten meetings, the run of games included some large scorelines including 5-0, 5-2, and 6-1 defeats.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent competitive meeting between the Saddlers and Magpies was a League One match that took place at the Banks's Stadium on Friday, 3rd April 2015, and saw the spoils shared as neither side was able to find the back of the net.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Dale Baines who is based on Merseyside and has mostly officiated over National League games so far this season will be the man in the middle.
Meanwhile, Richard Woodward and Jack Clench have been named assistant referees, whilst Grant Taylor will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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10
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
26
| 0
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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2
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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.
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