By Alan Stokes
December 30 2002

As 2002 draws to a close have the wheels fallen off the Saddlers wagon? Or indeed, were there any wheels on the wagon in the first place? From the euphoria of pre-season the storm clouds have now started to gather over WS1. As the year end approaches the league table makes for uncomfortable reading as the Saddlers balance nervously above the relegation zone. This season for most fans has been a massive disappointment given the euphoria that swept Bescot pre-season.

After having avoided a swift return to the second division it was widely believed that Colin Lee would go on to lead the good ship Walsall onto bigger and better things. Indeed, expectation levels rose totally out of control as Lee unveiled promising new signings. Players such as Danny Rodriguez, Danny Hay, Danny Sonner, Zdrilic and Darren Bazeley all joined up with Colin Lee’s boys with the majority of Saddlers fans convinced that this was to be the year that we at last established ourselves at this higher level.

The pre-season appearance of Junior at Keys Park did nothing to dampen the Saddlers enthusiasm as it looked as though he would be the perfect foil for Jorge.

Given that we had managed to retain the services of established first division players in O’Connor, Corica and Walker we certainly had the foundations laid for a promising season.

Indeed, the season was but a few weeks old when we had influential players being quoted in the press as saying we could easily establish ourselves in the first division this term. We even had the Commercial Director (or whatever title Mr Whalley has) appearing on a local radio station claiming that the play off places were not beneath our reach. Is it any wonder that the fans expectations rocketed out of control.

The season started much as expected with defeats against Ipswich and Wolves. Again, these defeats did nothing to dampen the spirits of the Bescot faithful as it was widely acclaimed that these teams would be battling it out for automatic promotion. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and looking back, the warning signs for this seasons struggles were already evident. Colin Lee just did not know what his best team was. During the first month there was continual tinkering with formations as well as personnel. We watched as our young promising centre forward was deployed down the right wing, left wing, in fact anywhere other than his natural position. We saw Herivelto drift in and out of the team, Darren Wrack deployed on the right side, then the left side. We saw formations change on a weekly basis going from 4411 to 352 then onto 4312 followed by a 442. This obviously did nothing to establish a standard way of playing and reduced the effectiveness of the team.

Stability off the field was as irregular as the on field formations. In came Coach Stewart Houston to replace the much missed Merrington who sadly left the club on the eve of the season. After unsuccessfully trying to make the most unnaturally gifted ball player at the centre of defence control and pass a ball, coupled with some disastrous performances and results, out went Coach Houston. I doubt at this point whether the players knew if they were coming or going. In fact one of the players was quoted in one of the sports papers as saying they didn’t quite know how the manager wanted them to play. Is it any surprise then that we lost 4 on the bounce against Reading, Watford, Bradford and Rotherham?

The next topic of debate is Steve Corica. Again, widely acclaimed to be the most creative player we have at Bescot. However, the question needs to be asked how to utilise him to get the best out of both Corica and the team as a whole. His favoured position is playing behind the front two. This in itself creates problems. It gives us no attacking width (not that we have any decent wingers anyway) and it also isolates both our fullbacks which opposing teams can easily exploit. If he is utilised on the wings he is ineffective and he is not robust enough to form a central midfield partnership. So, therefore, is Corica’s strength the teams weakness?
On the subject of fullbacks, the Aranalde debate continues. Whilst there is no doubt that he is an excellent attacking outlet his defensive frailties are often exposed. This could be due to the fact that his “wing partner”, whoever it is each week, is not doing enough to protect him and leaving him exposed. To answer the question – is he a first division fullback? The answer has to be no. A good second division fullback maybe, but not one to perform consistently in the higher league. Given this scenario, where on earth is the back up / replacement left full back? We still haven’t got one.

Throughout the course of the season to date we have been banging in goals for fun. However, you cannot and will not win matches if you constantly concede more than you score. This is where the central midfield and central defensive areas are a shambles. We have two solid centre halves who will head away bricks all day. However, when we face teams who have fast tricky forwards who play just off our defenders then they are totally exposed time and time again. The central midfield area is no better. They are unable to dominate games and are unable to break down the opposition preferring instead to drop back to the 18 yard line whenever the opposition gain control.

It is these two factors that need to be addressed with immediate effect if we are to progress and avoid yet more visits to Gresty Road.

To bring the curtain down on 2002 we have suffered another series of defeats which has left us hovering precariously over the relegation trap door. The current transfer window must now be utilised to strengthen our position. To do nothing, given the problems outlined above, will result in a swift return to the lower league.

Happy New Year to you all.