Playing the leading team in the Division away is the ultimate test; playing them on one of THE days of the calendar makes it a veritable occasion.
Perhaps we should imagine ourselves to be Bromley about to play at the Ecopower or Rovers a year or two back at the Stadium of Light. The analogy breaks down a bit when we consider that we are not 20 odd places below Walsall, but nevertheless there has to be some basis on which we can build a rationale to provide us with a chance of winning.
Walsall beat us convincingly at the Bescot/Poundland stadium last year and it was surprising that they could not sustain the form they were in at that time and reach the play-offs. Since then they have lost the services of Mo Faal who Wrexham purchased from WBA in the summer and such being their player resources he has made fewer than 10 appearances for them and scored once.
I suppose we are going into the game with a bit of a boost from the 3-1 over Tranmere, but it was scarcely a towering performance. I suppose too that Walsall will imagine that it will be one of their more challenging fixtures even if they might calculate that they should get the better of any fellow League 1 team at home.
I have not always been entirely convinced that Rovers possess the fighting spirit that’s needed to win consistently which can sometimes be more important than skill. Tomorrow is the time to show it’s there.
I’ll be optimistic and say 2-2 (Gibson, Molyneux)
DPL v Walsall
posted on 26/12/24
A draw would be a good result for Rovers. I liked that GM gave the players a day off yesterday. I always think rest is an essential part of training. Rovers will be underdogs and a surprise win isn't our of the question. But I'm going with 1-1. Ironside, Molyneaux or Sharp.
posted on 26/12/24
Interesting team selection. You might see it as a defence plus an attack with no midfield, so suited to playing on the break forcing Walsall to attack, rather than allow the opposition possession and strike on the break.
posted on 26/12/24
I should add, just in case anyone is not familiar with Walsall’s game that they like to counter-attack.
posted on 26/12/24
Walsall 2-1 Rovers
Sharp to score ⚽
posted on 26/12/24
Dreaming of a win today, and against Port Vale. However, that may be too optimistic. For the first time this season, I'll say we will lose.
Walsall 2 Rovers 1, Ironside to score our goal.
posted on 26/12/24
Our chance of avoiding defeat was to restrict Walsall’s attacks on the break and to defend effectively. It was more of a case of keeping them out in the few breaks they made in the first half, but overall they had more skill on the ball and better strikers.
In the second, their superior skill and our lack of quality striking power put them out of reach.
We really must try and pick up some quality players in the new year.
posted on 27/12/24
A poor effort by all accounts. GM definitely needs to bring in some new blood and ditch some of those not performing consistently.