After Sarturday's scheduled meeting was postponed just minutes before kick-off, the Saddlers will hopefully be back in cup action on Tuesday evening as they take on Alfreton Town in the Second Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Walsall have been in truly dismal form as of late. Winless in their last six league games, Mat Sadler's side will be thankful for the opportunity to focus their energy on a cup clash and a potential place in the Third Round of the FA Cup.
That's by no means a suggestion that they can look past their opponents. If there's anything to garner from the 2023/24 Saddlers it is that they're more than capable of losing, in fact, they've become rather good at it over the opening stages of the campaign.
Winning just six of their twenty-four all-competition games, the team really has to show some signs of a desire to turn things around.
Far too many players are entering below-par performances and whilst that's a poor cliché, so are their matchday offerings.
Be it a lack of desire, a falling out with the gaffer, or a simple lack of ability, the team has simply not been good enough and, with the Winter Transfer Window opening in just a month, they really don't have much time to prove why they shouldn't be replaced.
Clearly, there are plenty of other issues at play and this weekend's result could go a long way to solving one of them. A defeat to National League North opponents and the board may well be forced into a decision. But, secure a win and the gaffer will at least have given himself a bit of breathing room.
WALSALL TEAM NEWS
The Saddlers were dealt another injury blow last week as first-choice goalkeeper Owen Evans was forced off with a calf strain during the first-half of last week's defeat to Barrow.
It wasn't all bad news on Tuesday, however, as long-term absentee Jack Earing featured in a Saddlers XI that took on Tividale in the Birmingham Senior Cup and also made the bench for Saturday's postponed clash.
Earing has been out with a knee injury since New Year's Day, and will no doubt be delighted to have returned to the pitch as he continues to work his way back to fitness.
Joe Riley and Aramide Oteh are also long-term absentees with the duo not expected to feature for the foreseeable future whilst Danny Johnson is a doubt with a shoulder injury.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Alfreton have been in poor form since they secured their place alongside the Saddlers in the Second Round with a win over Worthing.
Winning just one of their six all-competition outings, the Impact Arena side will be desperate for a positive performance as they look to cause something of an upset to get themselves in the pot for the upcoming Third Round Draw.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
There haven't been any competitive meetings between Walsall and Alfreton Town, though they did face off in a Pre-Season Friendly at the Impact Arena on Saturday, 6th July 2019.
The match was a disappointing one for Darrell Clarke's Saddlers as, despite Elijah Adebayo putting his side ahead with just six minutes on the clock, goals from Josh Clackstone and Morgan Brough saw the home side secure the win.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Sam Allison, who is based in Wiltshire, will be the man in the middle, with the experienced official hopefully allowing the game to go ahead, or at least calling it off before the faithful have reached the Impact Arena.
Abbas Khan and Lisa Rashid have been named assistant referees whilst Aji Ajibola will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
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11
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YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
48
| 1
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PENALTIES AWARDED
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2
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CATCH THE MATCH
The match, which is due to kick-off at 7.45pm, will be shown live on BBC iPlayer.
Along with video broadcast, audio options are available including the club's in-house service, iFollow Walsall, which, as always, will be covering the game LIVE!