By Uncle Quentin
August 30 2004

The mighty Saddlers stormed back from 2-0 down to gather all 3 points. After a woeful start to the match, Saddlers over ran a decent Town outfit to move comfortably into mid table As promised, Paul Merson made changes to the starting eleven that played on the English Riviera two days ago. Aranalde came in for Roper in defence slotting into his customary left back role with Bennett moving into the centre. In midfield, Broad started his first match of the season alongside Wrack, Osborn and Merson and Birch replaced the injured Fryatt up front.

Swindon started off the better team. In fact, they were much the better team as they stormed into a two goal lead with Saddlers looking completely hopeless, shambolic in defence and leaderless on the pitch. The first three minutes were to set the tone for a schoolboy defensive display with defenders seemingly passing the ball to Town’s strikers in order to get them to score!

As the ball ping pong’d around the area with no-one interested in clearing Aranalde then inexplicably flighted in a beauty across his own penalty area onto the centre forwards head only for it to be somehow scrambled away. Emblen had a particularly poor game as he was constantly out of position and unsure of who to mark. He played like a man concussed.

It looked like Swindon had the measure of us as they simply overran the static Saddlers midfield, bombing down the flanks at every opportunity. It was embarrassing as we looked tactically clueless.

Swindon took the lead after 5 minutes from yet another free header from a set piece. This area must be addressed with the utmost urgency. They then added a second after Emblen was caught lacking for pace. It could and should have been 3 or 4 to the Robins without reply. However, for reasons unknown Saddlers suddenly clicked into gear from the 25th minute onwards and took the visitors to the cleaners.

I have not seen Walsall outplay a side like we did today for many a long year.

Around the half hour mark, Birch stormed forward on a powerful run and lashed a shot towards goal. The keeper could only parry and Jorge was on hand to net the loose ball.

Saddlers were now dominant with the midfield finally getting to grips with the game although we still looked suspect at the back.

Shortly after the first reply came the equaliser as Birch went on a mazy run seemingly down a blind alley. He knocked the ball to Baze who passed to Merson who created a defence splitting pass for Leitao to notch his second of the game.

Shortly before half time Walsall were unlucky not to take an astonishing lead as Wrack side footed a shot inches past the post.

Half time came and lots of head scratching could be heard from the Bescot terraces. How could a team so apparently disorganised suddenly switch on and come from 2-0 down to go in at the break on level terms. I have no answer.

The second half got underway and it was all one way traffic as Merson’s boys really showed what they were capable of. Osborn was a terrier in the middle of the park winning everything that came his way, Leitao had possibly his finest game in a Saddlers shirt chasing and winning every ball that he had no right to win. In fact, a two all draw would have been an injustice to the Saddlers due to their complete domination. Chances came and went. Wrack fired a freekick against the woodwork, Leitao crossed a ball low across the goal line but no-one could convert.

Finally, with the clock ticking down a superb cross from Leitao landed on Birch’s head and he nodded it firmly past the keeper. Cue bedlam.

“Can we play you every week” taunted the Saddlers faithful in response to Towns fans earlier sarcasm.

What an entertaining game with a precious 3 points in the bag. However, no-one could possibly have predicted the outcome after the diabolical first 25 minutes.

It looks like it will be a roller coaster ride this season.