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 take on the Railwaymen this weekend.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
After Walsall registered their eighteenth draw of the league season last weekend with a stalemate at home to Carlisle United, attention turns to Gresty Road and a clash with Crewe Alexandra.
With the team having nothing but pride to play for, we're hoping Head Coach Michael Flynn will begin to experiment with his line-up as there are plenty of players who haven't done enough to warrant an instant place in the starting eleven.
Despite claiming that the shackles were off just a few short weeks ago, the gaffer has opted to field much of the same group of players over recent games, with unsurprisingly familiar results.
We're recently been calling for the introduction of Ronan Maher to the fold and, whilst we were encouraged by his place on the bench against Carlisle, would hope to see him secure some match minutes this weekend.
There is very little to take from the last few months for the faithful. Their team has underperformed and the club has rewarded their loyalty by increasing Season Ticket prices by a level which, though necessary to balance the books, only serves to show that the club doesn't really care about its supporters.
Hopefully, over the remaining few weeks of the campaign, the team will at least show some desire and determination ahead of what could well turn out to be a difficult summer of change in WS1.
OPPOSITION NEWS
Opponents Crewe Alexandra have been in peculiar form as of late, with the Gresty Road side winning two of their last three, but losing four of their last six.
The Alex will reach this weekend's match on the back of a four-nil thumping at the hands of Colchester United and, as they sit just ten points clear of the drop zone, in search of a return to winning ways.
Their key player will likely be former Walsall loanee Daniel Agyei, who has netted fourteen goals in forty-six first-team appearances and will np doubt delight in netting against one of his former sides.
FORM IN FIVE
Here is how the Saddlers and their opponents Crewe Alexandra have fared in their last five Sky Bet League Two games.
CREWE ALEXANDRA
|
WALSALL |
LLWWL
| DLDLD
|
HEAD-TO-HEAD
There have been seventy-five competitive meetings between Walsall and Crewe Alexandra, and it's the Saddlers who hold an overall Head-to-Head lead, having won on thirty-one occasions, compared to Alex's twenty-four, whilst the spoils have been shared on some twenty occasions.
Their first meeting was a League Division Two match which took place at the Alexandra Recreation Ground on Saturday, 5th November 1892, and saw the sides engage in a goal-fest which Walsall Town Swifts won by six-goals-to-five.
Walsall would remain undefeated for the next six meetings between the two, with Crewe's first win not arriving until Saturday, 22nd April 1922 as they won two-nil at the original Gresty Road.
THE LAST TIME WE MET
The most recent meeting was a League Two clash that took place in front of just over 5,000 fans at Poundland Bescot Stadium on Tuesday, 21st February 2023, and saw each side take a share of the spoils as they played out a goalless draw.
MATCH OFFICIALS
The EFL has confirmed that Carl Boyeson, who is based in East Yorkshire, will be the man in the middle, whilst Simon Shaw and Steve Durnall have been named assistant referees. Richard Bartlett will act as Fourth Official.
GAMES OFFICIATED
|
23
|
YELLOW
CARDS |
RED
CARDS |
98
| 2
|
PENALTIES AWARDED
|
7
|
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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