So, a must-win FA cup replay at home to the side rock bottom of the football league. An opportunity to go back to basics & build a bit of confidence, you'd have thought. Yet, believe it or not, we lined up 4-5-1. Why??!
For the first 25 mins or so, whilst there were no decent chances in a scrappy affair, we just about shaded things, with Peterlin regularly collecting the ball from the back four and trying to build some possession. Before long however, John Still spotted that Peterlin was our bright spark, told one of his midfielders to man mark him and we were once again reduced to that familiar aimless long ball from the back.
Dagenham began an ascendancy which saw them gather confidence along the way and a handful of half chances to our Paterson pot-shot. Lancashire pulled up with a hamstring, Butler came on and we saw the half out looking completely devoid of any attacking nous whatsoever.
We started the second half the brighter having switched to 4-4-2, with some neat play resulting in Westlake's drive across the box turned behind for a corner. In truth, the second half proved to be another long struggle for both sides, with our only positive play coming after the introduction of Gnakpa & Bowerman who combined well at times.
Our defensive woes were added to when Manny Smith challenged for an aerial ball from a corner and then after landing, didn't move for a good three or four minutes. With both sets of players frantically calling for medical help, the signs didn't look good but thankfully Smith regained consciousness. His face wasn't a pretty sight as he was stretched off though, that's for sure.
From then on, the game simply died out with both sides looking content to settle for penalties. We huffed and puffed in extra time and Macken stung the palms of their 'keeper with a 20 yard drive, but we produced nothing to suggest we were unlucky not to score.
Inevitably, we lost the penalty shoot-out - again, with a whimper - and we're out of the FA cup.
Following that performance, I'd like to ask Dean Smith a few questions. Firstly, if Peterlin is the only midfielder prepared to put his foot on the ball and pass it, why doesn't he start? Secondly, why does Taundry find his way into the side out of position when we have a number of options on the bench. And thirdly, how many times does Bowerman need to impress as a sub before he gets a start?
One other question I might like to ask is what our gaffer makes of the fact that we barely created a chance against the lowest side in the football league. And I suspect I wouldn't be the only Walsall fan angry about just that tonight.
As a manager, Smith showed a complete lack of bottle tonight against a very poor side. Playing one up front at home to Dagenham was nothing short of plain stupid. As I've said before, last season was time for Smith to make mistakes to learn from, not this.
I'm a very disillusioned Saddler after witnessing that pile of drivel.
By: Rob Jones