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Pre-Match News & Views
After suffering their seventh defeat in as many games last weekend, club officials were left with very little option but to end their relationship with Head Coach Matthew Taylor, with the former midfielder becoming the latest in an increasing line of manager who tried and failed at Fortress Bescot.
The defeat to bottom-of-the-table Scunthorpe United was another example of the Saddlers new-found penchant for taking games to the opposition before ultimately falling to defeat as they once again failed to make anything of their few goal-scoring opportunities before being punished by the Iron ten-minutes before the break.
With attention turning to who will be the next to try and stop the rot, there is one thing that is clear, and that's the need to sign an experienced man, who has much-needed experience at settling teams down and moving them away from danger.
No longer can the club afford to take a chance on a relative unknown in a bid to build for the future, as, the club is facing the very real possibility of a visit to non-league, and, given already-stretched resources will likely be cut further upon relegation, a swift return to the EFL is by no means a certainty.
Neil McDonald and Mat Sadler have been tasked with taking the team through the next few games and will have their work cut out for them if they are to get anything out of their meeting with Tranmere Rovers as the Super Whites continue to push for promotion.
On to on the team news, and recent arrival Devante Rodney recently returned to training and has a small chance of making it into the matchday squad, although his lack of fitness may see his club debut further delayed.
Club captain Joss Labadie will definitely miss out, as he collected his tenth caution of the league campaign last weekend, giving him a two-game ban.
Head to Head
Walsall and Tranmere Rovers have met on seventy-six previous occasions, and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall win/loss advantage, having won thirty-five times compared to Rovers' twenty-six.
There have also been fifteen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Prenton Park on Saturday, 10th September 1921 as the two sides met in a Division Three (North) clash which the Saddlers won by one-goal-to-nil.
There have also been fifteen draws over the history of the fixture, a history which began at Prenton Park on Saturday, 10th September 1921 as the two sides met in a Division Three (North) clash which the Saddlers won by one-goal-to-nil.
Man in the Middle
The EFL has confirmed that Sam Allison, who is based in Wiltshire, will be the man in the middle, whilst David Hunt and Abbas Khan have been named assistant referees. Scott Tallis will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES
|
21
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
86
| 6
|
PENALTIES
|
4
|
Catch the Match
You can catch the match via the club's in-house service - iFollow Walsall - which takes you through the highs and lows of each and every Saddlers match.
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