Blades come for Boxing Day : The Big Match Preview


By 4two
December 23 2002

A confident Blades team travel to the Bescot, on a day that could see the Stadiums record attendance set. Jimmy Walker is out for the Saddlers, and Darren Ward will step in to replace him. Walsall Vs Notts Forest Walsall Vs Notts Forest

 

Walsall (19th) Vs Sheff United (5th)

Competition : Nationwide League Division 1.

Date & Time: 21.12.02 - 3.00pm
Tickets: Will we break the record 10,628 barrier? That is the question everyone is asking. We think not despite the Purple Stand (upper)  and away end expecting to sell out. We say anything between 7500-8500.

Directions (Road): You cannot miss the stadium if you travel along the M6. It is just off Junction 9, then the A461 road leads you round to the Stadium. It is well signposted from the Motorway. You can Leave at Junction 10, it takes longer but it is also sign posted. It is a 20 minute walk from the town center, and it is also served by its own Station "Bescot Stadium Station". If you want to get the bus, the 405 runs every 15 minutes from the Bradford Place bus station. (Guide to Bescot)

Walsall News: It should be the same starting XI for the Saddlers apart from Ward replacing Jim Walker in goal. Ward's other game this season came in the 4-2 win against Stoke. Hopefully Zdrilic and Pollet should be fit enough  to challenge for a spot on the bench.

Sheffield United News: The Blades are expected to stick with the same line up from the Preston game : Kenny , Murphy , Page , Harley , Jagielka , Tonge , Brown , Montgomery , Ndlovu , Allison , Kabba. "Pesch" and Asaba, two seasoned 1st Division goal scorers will provide the back up on the bench. A Strong Blades squad travels to Bescot.

Walsall

 one2watch: Darren Wrack is in a rich vein of form. No other current Saddlers players have endured so many ups and downs while at the club. He is a confidence player, and when he believes in himself he can become a real match winner. His versatility is his biggest asset, and he has found himself out of position in recent weeks.

Sheff United

 one2watch: Jon Harley is currently enjoying a loan spell at the Blades from Fulham. He has lost his way since spending almost 5 seasons at Chelsea, where he made 30 Premier League appearances and was even touted as the answer to England's left sided problem. He had a loan spell at Wimbledon in October 2001, but has spent most of his time playing reserve team football at Fulham.
Walsall       Sheffield United
Ven Versus Pos
A 1 - 2 Norwich L 4
H 2 - 0 Wimbledon W 11
H 3 - 1 Grimsby W 21
A 2 - 3 Portsmouth L 1
H 1 - 0 Gillingham W 15
A 2 - 3 Wimbledon L 15
A 0 - 2 Leicester L 2
H 4 - 2 Stoke W 21
H 3 - 4 Crystal Palace L 15
A 0 - 0 Coventry D 7
Ven Versus Pos
H 1 - 0 Preston W 14
A 2 - 0 Reading W 5
A 0 - 0 Leicester D 2
H 2 - 1 Crystal Palace W 11
A 5 - 0 Bradford W 19
H 0 - 0 Ipswich D 20
A 0 - 3 Nottm Forest L 6
A 1 - 2 Derby L 14
H 1 - 1 Wimbledon D 22
H 2 - 1 Stoke W 19
4-2 vs Stoke Biggest Home Win 3-1 Millwall
3-0 vs Millwall Biggest Away Win 5-0 Bradford
0-2 vs Ipswich, Reading Heaviest Home Defeat 1-2 vs Watford
1-3 vs Wolves Heaviest Away Defeat 0-3 vs Forest
24 Players Used 26
6 Clean Sheets 11
6 Failed To Score 4
2 Best Winning Sequence 3
3 Best Unbeaten Sequence 6
4 Worst Losing Sequence 2
5 Worst Sequence With No Win 4
         

 

  


Junior

Walsall

 

Carl
Asaba

Sheff United

 
8 Goals 8
17 Games Played 20
0.47 Goals Per Game Average 0.4
7 Total Games Scored In 6

6 Games Scored 1 Goals 5
1 Games Scored 2 Goals 0
0 Games Scored 3 Goals 1
2 Scoring Run (games) 1
6 Dry Spell (games) 4

2 Close Range 3
4 Inside 18 Yard Box 4
2 Outside 18 Yard Box 1

6 Shots 2
0 Headers 1
1 Volleys 2
0 Penalties 3
1 Free Kicks 0
 

 
Last Time Sheffield United

1-1

 Walsall

17/08/02 - Nationwide League Division 1

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The Verdict: United are on a good run, and will be high in confidence after their Worthington Cup exploits.  Their must be a real feel good factor swooping around the Blades camp as they enjoy some of their best times since the early 1990's.  In all our time at Bescot we have not seen a team play with such confidence and flair. They may be a bit inconsistent at times and play in patches, but when they are on top of the game they are a match for any team in this division, and any team in the entire history of WFC. Hopefully the atmosphere around the Bescot will be buzzing, for the first real game in front of the revamped Bescot. It should be an entertaining game, plenty of goals.

PREDICTION: Saddlers 2-2 Blades
 

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What do the Blades  Say?

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