Southend are without midfielder Jean Francois-Christophe who serves a one-match ban for accruing five bookings.
Forward James Walker has suffered a set back to his recovery from a hamstring injury and along with Dougie Freedman's dodgy thigh, both seem to be set for a continued absence.
Kevin Betsy or Simon Francis should be handed a place in the middle while the good Lord Lee Barnard is in contention again after a one-match ban.
Blues boss Steve Tilson is under no illusions that this is a tough game and one that both teams will fill they will have to win to have any outside hope of reaching the play-offs.
"They've won four out of their last five and drawn the other one, so they're probably the top form side at the moment. So at Roots Hall it's probably the toughest game we can come up against at the moment. Chris Hutchings has gone in there and done a fantastic job, they look a solid unit and are bit like how we've done lately, we're winning by the odd goal and I think they're very similar."
He went on to comment on how another possible loanee striker had slipped through his hands: "Both of the players turned us down because they didn't want to move down to this area of the country. It's frustrating because not many players become available who could actually better the team but this week we had two and neither of them wanted to come. We do have injury problems in attack which makes it even more frustrating but right now we do have three available and that's probably the most we've had in a few weeks now."
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 12 |
Last Six
| 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 12 |
Walsall defender Anthony Gerrard has a hamstring injury and Stephen Roberts (back) is still out.
However, new loan signing Robin Shroot, a midfielder from Birmingham, could make his debut and another midfield man, Stephen Hughes, should recover from a twisted knee picked up in the 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe
| 10 | Huddersfield Town | 34 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 26 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 19 | 28 | 13 | 10 | 11 | 45 | 49 | 49 | -4 | ||||
| 11 | Walsall | 34 | 9 | 1 | 6 | 26 | 23 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 24 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 48 | 47 | 47 | +1 | ||||
| 12 | Colchester United | 34 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 18 | 7 | 4 | 5 | 29 | 28 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 47 | 46 | 47 | +1 | ||||
| 13 | Southend United | 34 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 19 | 14 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 20 | 34 | 13 | 7 | 14 | 39 | 48 | 46 | -9 | ||||
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 32 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 29 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 24 | 25 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 53 | 44 | 43 | +9 | ||||
| 15 | Hartlepool United | 35 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 36 | 29 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 14 | 26 | 11 | 10 | 14 | 50 | 55 | 43 | -5 |
Walsall boss Chris Hutchings has told his players they need to keep performing or risk losing their place.
Two of the League One form sides clash at Roots Hall, with the Saddlers unbeaten in six and Southend having won five of their last seven games.
Hutchings is expected to name an unchanged line-up after Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Scunthorpe but has told his side not to rest on their laurels.
He said: "You want a settled team but we've got competition for places - that makes it healthy and keeps the boys on their toes. That's what we've got to aim for, as a squad of players, that everyone keeps working hard to keep the shirt. If they're not performing up to scratch then we can put someone else in. Look at Manny Smith. He's come into the side and done exceptionally well. He's got to maintain that now otherwise things change, simple as that."
Smith has taken his chance and Hutchings wants the whole team to make sure they take theirs in Essex.
The Walsall manager continued: 'Sometimes you don't get what you deserve in this game and the opposition have one chance and they take it. We can only affect what we do and we go there with confidence and looking to win the game. It will be a tough game and we've got to go there with the same attitude as we have had in the last six matches to keep our unbeaten run going."
Hutchings has called for his Walsall young guns to help out the old guard against Southend, as they look to extend their run. With three games in seven days, Hutchings knows the toll it could take on his squad.
He said: "With a nice blend of youth and experience, we could do well but we've all got to work and pull together. It's a nice position to be in and the younger lads must help the older ones. Sometimes the younger lads have got to do a bit more for the older ones but that's all part and parcel of the game. Michael Ricketts has been at the top level and has the experience to help the young lads. When I first came in, I said to the likes of Hughes and Weston they are experienced and have to help the young lads."
Hutchings wants a new defender but, if he fails in his quest, Rhys Weston will partner in-form Smith in defence after returning from a calf injury in midweek.
The manager said: "Rhys came through OK, he had a bit of a recovery session on Wednesday, because he only had one day with the lads and we threw him straight in. It was a bit of a gamble. I was delighted with him and we'll take it easy with him."
Scunthorpe United 1 Walsall 1 (report from West Midlands Express & Star);
The acid test of how far Walsall had come was at Scunthorpe last night. In monsoon conditions, against a team with an impressive home record, the Saddlers walked away knowing they should have won.
Troy Deeney's point-clinching strike was worthy of winning any game but the Saddlers had to settle for a draw thanks to the heroics of former keeper Joe Murphy. The ex-Albion stopper spent time on loan at the Banks's between 2004 and 2006 but denied Deeney and Alex Nicholls at the death as the Saddlers searched for a fourth straight win. It wasn't to be but the result emphasised Walsall's progress.
Three previous wins had been chalked up over teams who offered little in the way of a challenge. Last night was a real test of the new look Saddlers and it was one they passed with flying colours. Falling behind to Kayode Odejayi's 79th minute header - after dominating for much of the second half - could have been soul destroying. Instead, it was sleeves up time as Deeney levelled before he and Nicholls were denied by Murphy.
It was never going to be pretty. Calling it ugly would be a disservice to the conditions. Torrential rain and wind lashed the pitch and the players as both teams struggled in the first half. Passes went astray and footing was lost but the Saddlers shrugged off the conditions and escaped bedraggled but happy.
Deprived of hamstrung Anthony Gerrard, Rhys Weston returned after recovering from a calf injury to partner Manny Smith at the back. Again Smith was outstanding and, with Gerrard sidelined for three weeks, the 20-year-old has the opportunity to put down his marker.
Undoubtedly there will be a new face to counter the loss of Gerrard but after another faultless display, Smith should remain an automatic choice. He was in the thick of the action early on but it was defensive colleague Chris Palmer who hurriedly cleared Gary Hooper's 12th minute cross as the game finally saw some excitement.
It had been a solid, if inauspicious, start from the visitors as both sides tried to adapt to tricky conditions and it wasn't until the 23rd minute when the Saddlers' goal came under threat. Arsenal loanee Henri Lansbury, a constant danger throughout, cracked an angled volley which Clayton Ince did well to parry. It was the catalyst for some concerted Scunthorpe pressure and Smith had to clear Kevan Hurst's cross from underneath his own bar.
Paul Boertien blocked from Lansbury as the Iron upped the tempo and Southampton loanee Joseph Mills shot straight at Ince. However, it was Lansbury who was the biggest threat to the Saddlers. His ongoing tussle with Boertien was the story of an understandably scrappy first half. The former Derby defender had his hands full with the England under-19 captain who, try as he might, couldn't find a way through.
But, as the conditions worsened, Walsall grew in stature and finished the half with a flourish. Deeney's overhead kick from the edge of the area demonstrated his confidence but did little to trouble Murphy. Michael Ricketts failed to hit the target after good work from Deeney and Sofiene Zaaboub before Dwayne Mattis flicked Zaaboub's free-kick over as the half edged, unpleasantly, to a close.
If the teams were hoping conditions would improve after the break, they were left disappointed as the rain continued unabated.
Deeney prodded wide and Cliff Byrne's effort deflected wide as the sides traded early half chances.
There was more willingness to keep the ball on the deck but as Ince's goal-kick arched backward and threatened to return from whence it came, it was evident the conditions were not finished yet.
Scunthorpe had upped the ante with the game almost entirely being played in the Saddlers' half but the visitors almost took the lead just before the hour. Nicholls was felled and from Zaaboub's resulting free-kick, Deeney cracked an eight-yard header against the bar and Mattis was unable to turn in the rebound.
It was now Walsall's turn to worry the hosts and Deeney should have fired them ahead shortly after. With 19 minutes remaining the striker latched onto Ince's long kick but screwed his shot wide after holding off Krystian Pearce's challenge.
The match had opened up as the Iron fired low, testing balls which skidded across the Saddlers' six-yard box but, much to the chagrin of the home fans, there was no telling touch. Despite home advantage and an impressive Glanford Park record of only three League One defeats all season, the hosts had been second best to their opponents for the majority of the second half.
The Saddlers looked most likely to score so it came as somewhat of a surprise when Scunthorpe went ahead 11 minutes from time. Grant McCann lifted a free-kick in from the right, Odejayi stole in ahead of Ince and couldn't miss. It was the first time the Walsall defence had been breached in 441 minutes and was late enough to make you think it would be the winner.
Regardless, it was harsh on the Saddlers. But they didn't have to wait long for the equaliser. Boertien launched a long free kick forward, Mattis controlled and laid it off to Deeney.The striker still had a huge amount to do but cut back, looked up and curled the ball in off the bar from 18 yards for a deserved leveller.
It was a sign of a man in form. Seven goals in 10 games is a far cry from the three he plundered in his previous 68 outings. It was the least the visitors warranted and they came agonisingly close to a winner in the dying stages.
Sam Togwell tested Ince before Nicholls almost won it when Murphy pushed his 25-yard effort wide. The winger refused to rest and then set up Deeney who looked certain to score but Murphy's heroics ended his hopes of claiming victory.
PREVIOUSLY
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The man in the middle is the Rob Styles from Hampshire.
He has a whole Wikipedia section on his cock-ups; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Styles
FIXTURES
Saturday, 07 March 2009; (all kick-offs 15.00): Bristol Rovers v Leeds, Crewe v Hereford, Hartlepool v Peterborough, Huddersfield v Millwall, Leicester v Cheltenham, Leyton Orient v Brighton, Northampton v Tranmere, Oldham v Colchester, Scunthorpe v Stockport, Swindon v MK Dons, Yeovil v Carlisle.
Wednesday, 11 March 2009: Tranmere v Leicester, 19:45.
BET
Southend (6/5) Draw (12/5) Walsall (5/2)
For all the footy odds go here: www.oddschecker.com/football/english/league-one.
HISTORY
Walsall were formed as Walsall Town Swifts in 1888 when Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. amalgamated. Walsall Town had been founded in 1877 and Walsall Swifts in 1879. Walsall Town Swifts' first match was a draw against Aston Villa. In 1889 Town Swifts' first England international, Albert Aldridge was capped twice by his country. The club were first admitted to the Football League in 1892, as founder members of the new Second Division, but in 1894-95 finished 14th out of 16 teams and failed to be re-elected to the Football League. They changed their name to Walsall F.C. and joined the Midland League.
Walsall's highest "home" attendance was set in 1930, when they played in of front of 74,600 fans against Aston Villa in the FA Cup Fourth Round. Although a home match for Walsall, the tie was played at their opponents' Villa Park ground, and it remains the highest attendance that Walsall have ever played in front of. Walsall was a founding member of the Third Division North in 1921. In 1933 won 2-0 in the FA Cup against Arsenal, who went on to win the First Division that season.
In 1958, following a reorganisation of the Football League, Walsall became founder members of the Fourth Division. Under the management of Bill Moore, the club achieved successive promotions, scoring 102 goals on their way to winning Division Four in 1959-60 and finishing as Division Three runners-up in 1960-61 to reach the second tier of English football for the first time since the early 1900s. Players such as Bill 'Chopper' Guttridge, Tony Richards and Colin Taylor were intrinsically important to the success of the side. After just two seasons in the Second Division, the club were relegated back to Division Three in 1962-63, and remained there until a further demotion to the Fourth Division, in 1978-79.
The club has always had a rich history of producing players who go on to play at the top level. Allan Clarke went on to win the League Championship under Don Revie at Leeds United after beginning life at Fellows Park. Bert Williams and Phil Parkes both became England Goalkeepers in the years after they progressed from their roots in Walsall. David Kelly had a long career at the top level after leaving Walsall in 1988, representing the Republic of Ireland at the very highest level of international football. More recently, Michael Ricketts represented England after blossoming at Bolton Wanderers. In recent years, Matty Fryatt and Ishmel Demontagnac have both represented England age-groups.
The 1980s were a period of considerable activity for Walsall. In 1983-84 they defeated First Division club Arsenal on the way to reaching the League Cup semi-final, where they gained a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield, but lost the second leg 2-0 and the tie 4-2 on aggregate. Walsall narrowly missed out on promotion in the same season. In 1986 plans were announced to move Walsall to Birmingham, to groundshare with Birmingham City. The town rallied behind Barrie Blower, who led a campaign to save the club. Walsall were subsequently bought by millionaire entrepreneur and race-horse owner Terry Ramsden and with his money came high profile signings and the attention of the national media.
In 1986-87, under new manager Tommy Coakley, Walsall narrowly missed the playoffs, but made considerable progress in the FA Cup as they defeated First Division Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City and took Watford to two replays in the fifth round. Walsall earned promotion through the old Division Three play-offs in 1988, beating Bristol City in a replayed final. 1988-89 saw the club relegated from Division Two and Ramsden's business empire collapsed alongside the Japanese Stock Exchange. Walsall were minutes from being taken over by Japanese Administrators and folded, but survived, again through the actions of Barrie Blower and local businessmen.
New manager Chris Nicholl led the club to promotion in his first season, building the nucleus of a strong and under-rated team. Two seasons of stability followed, before Nicholl resigned in 1997, citing family reasons and the fact that he felt the club had progressed as far as he could take it on the limited funds available to a lower-league football club.
Ex-Ajax and Danish International Jan Sorensen took the helm after departure. Whilst 'The Saddlers' finished 19th in Division Two that season, the club reached the 4th Round of the League Cup (beating Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United along the way), as well as rampaging through the early rounds of the FA Cup. Frenchman, Jean Francois 'Jeff' Peron was a shining light in an otherwise poor league. Despite being 32 when arriving in England, Bescot was home to scouts from the Premiership and Division One as Peron's reputation grew. Though he only scored one goal in his solitary season for The Saddlers, he is best remembered for his mesmerising ability with the ball at his feet and the exceptional performance which tore Macclesfield Town to pieces in the aforementioned FA Cup tie.
In 1998-99, ex-Aston Villa winger Ray Graydon took over as manager and led the club to a runners-up spot in Division Two. They were relegated on the final day of the following season, despite derby wins over local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion earlier in the campaign.
However, The Saddlers returned to the second-tier of English Football at the first attempt, defeating Reading 3-2, after extra time, in a thrilling Play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium. After a promising start to the season, the form began to slip away over the winter period. However, the signings of Fitzroy Simpson and Don Goodman added much needed steel to the side and spured them on to reach the promised land of Division One once again.
Despite all the success he had delivered, it soon became clear that Ray Graydon had reached the end of the road at the club. In a controversial decision that brought with it the wrath of fans and the national media, owner Jeff Bonser dismissed Graydon after an abject performance against local rivals, West Bromwich Albion. His replacement, ex-Wolves manager Colin Lee polarised supporters, but ultimately proved to be a success. The style of football improved, and Lee's signings improved the team dramatically. Relegation was avoided thanks to vital away wins against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United, and the new spirit in the squad was typified by a vital last-gasp equaliser away at fellow strugglers Grimsby Town (who also beat the drop).
The next two seasons were a mixed bag. Lee improved the club immeasurably off the field, allowing it to fulfil part of the huge potential it has. On the pitch some rather dull performances were dotted in between some inspiring football. Again, relegation was avoided in the 2002-03 season because of the signing of key players, such as ex-Tottenham midfielder Vinny Samways who returned from a six-year spell in Spain to join the cause.
Samways slotted into a side which many believe was the most talented Walsall team since the clubs golden era under Bill Moore in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
2003-04 proved to be one of the most remarkable seasons in the club's history. Up until the New Year Walsall were flying. West Bromwich Albion and Nottingham Forest were both destroyed 4-1, as new-signing, the ex-England and Arsenal star, Paul Merson seemed to be repeating some of the magic that had led Portsmouth to promotion the previous season. Following a Boxing Day victory at Cardiff City, the club sat just four points off a place in the play-offs. It wasn't to last though.
2004 saw a spectacular slump in form. The New Year began with a disappointing FA Cup Third Round defeat away at Millwall, which saw Jimmy Walker dismissed for throwing a punch at Dennis Wise. Walker's replacement Andy Petterson slotted in for a home debut against fellow-strugglers Coventry City. The Saddlers capitulated, losing 6-1. The following weeks saw costly defeats, and it took until March 13 for the club to win their first league game of 2004. The cause was not helped by a recurrence in Paul Merson's well publicised addiction to alcohol and gambling, and though he travelled to a clinic in the United States with the best will of the club and its fans, it is indubitable that his absence took away the talismanic influence of one of the most influential players in recent footballing history.
Colin Lee was sacked after a shambolic display at Gillingham - though the reason given for his dismissal was his decision to speak to Plymouth Argyle about their vacant manger's position. Lee had been disillusioned by club owner Jeff Bonser, who had blocked the funds needed for the signing of players who proceeded to be a success at other clubs in the League.
Lee was replaced on a temporary basis by Merson, who was assisted by Simon Osborn. Despite the rallying cries of the ex-England international Merson, and the backing of the town, Walsall won only one more game that season, and were relegated, agonisingly by a single goal. On the final day of the season, Rotherham United were visitors at the Bescot Stadium. If Walsall won and Stoke City beat Gillingham in their home tie, Walsall would have stayed up. The Saddlers beat Rotherham United 3-2, and many fans invaded the pitch upon the final whistle, believing that they had stayed up, but as news of a 0-0 draw at Stoke City filtered into the ground, the worst was confirmed. Walsall's relegation left many Saddlers' fans asking themselves just what had gone wrong.
Merson was immediately appointed as full-time manager of the club in May 2004. Almost as soon as he arrived, rumours started to circulate that he would soon be sacked, polarising Walsall fans who were either behind him or against him. However, despite the question mark which hung over his tactical astuteness, he brought on and developed a number of young players who look set to have a big future in the game. Among those introduced to regular first team football by Merson, the brightest light is Matty Fryatt, who was the Top Scorer at the 2005 European Under-19 Championship where he represented England. His strike rate at Walsall was better than the majority of Strikers in both the Championship and League One. Paul Merson vowed not to stand in his way should a 'big club' come in for him, and it came as no surprise when in January 2006 Fryatt left the club, signing for Leicester City in a deal worth £350,000.
Merson's reign as Walsall manager came to an end on the 6 February 2006, sacked by Chief Executive Roy Whalley after refusing to resign. Two days earlier Walsall had lost 5-0 for the third time in Merson's reign, providing an interesting symmetry to his spell in charge - his first game was a 5-0 defeat away at Norwich City, whilst his final game resulted in a 5 goal reverse at Brentford.
Long-serving Youth Team manager Mick Halsall was put in Caretaker control of the Football Club, but ruled himself out of any long term ambitions for the job. Former Walsall player David Kelly was the bookies' favourite for the job, but ex-manager Chris Nicholl put his name into the running hours after news broke of Merson's dismissal.
On 17 February, whilst speaking to a local news broadcast, Jeff Bonser seemed to suggest that he would be keen to see Merson return to Bescot Stadium as a player, stating "a fit Paul Merson is an asset to any side". However, Merson would seem to be keener on following personal business interests at this time, taking a break from football until the summer. The practicalities of a former manager returning of a player have been tested before, most notably when Andy Hessenthaler resigned as manager of Gillingham in 2004, but remained as a player. However, Merson holds a much higher profile in football than Hessenthaler, and some speculated that it would have undermined caretaker manager Mick Halsall, and any future manager that would be appointed.
Despite all the speculation, there was general shock when, on 22 February 2006, former Birmingham City captain Kevan Broadhurst was appointed as Paul Merson's replacement. Broadhurst had been occasionally linked to the job during the vacancy, but was not considered by bookmakers nor fans to have a serious chance for the job. Broadhurst had a brief loan spell at Fellows Park in Walsall's 1979-80 promotion season. His initial contract was until May 2006 - with the brief to secure Walsall's League One position. Mick Halsall, a former team mate of Broadhurst's, remained with the first team with a view to assisting Broadhurst until the end of the season, when he would return to his original post as Head of Youth.
Walsall were relegated on 22 April 2006 after losing 3-1 to Huddersfield Town. Rotherham United's 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe United saw an unassailable gap of seven points formed. Broadhurst was sacked the next day. Player coach Mark Kinsella was put in charge for the final two matches of the season, with Halsall reverting to duties with the reserve and youth teams. On 3 May, the team appointed their fifth manager of the season in former Scunthorpe manager Richard Money.
The Start of Richard Money's reign started with a bang and a fresh start to Walsall's fight back to the Coca-Cola Championship. The signing of Martin Butler and Michael Dobson along with other signings gave the club potency to get promoted out of League Two. After seven games at home and winning all of them without conceding is a record for Walsall fans to be proud of. Walsall were promoted into League One on 14 April after beating Notts County 2-1 away from home. On the final day of the season, Walsall drew with Swindon Town, and with Hartlepool United losing their match, Walsall were awarded the League Two title.
On 24 April 2007 Walsall announced a 'New Change' with Major alterations, A new Kit Sponsor revealing that Banks's would no longer be Walsall Football Clubs official Sponsor for the 2007-08 season, and that Easy Fit conservatories would be the new kit sponsor, a new kit manufacturer which is to be Mann Brothers previously Nike, New Away Kit Colours which are blue/yellow and the biggest change, the club Badge which has been reformed back to the original Round design and Club Swift which has been designed to look more modern. This marks a new change and an exciting time for Walsall Football Club as they get ready for League One Football next season.
The club performed strongly in 2007-08, a season that included a run of 17 league matches without defeat, though they ultimately finished just outside the play-off places. Richard Money resigned as manager and Jimmy Mullen took over as caretaker manager before being given the job on a permanent basis.
Walsall officially opened its new training ground in Essington in July 2008, following two years of development. This gave the club its own dedicated training base for the first time in its history.
In January 2009 Walsall sacked manager Jimmy Mullen and replaced him with their former player Chris Hutchings.