By Neil Ravenscroft
October 22 2004

Walsall are unbeaten since the departure of Iffy Onoura and have won every home game. Can it continue against Bristol City tomorrow? The league leaders Luton Town were successfully seen off on Tuesday and now comes oone of the bookie's pre season favourites for promotion, the under achieving Bristol City.

Bristol City are always among the favourites for promotion from this division, but have badly under achieved in recent years considering their resources and levels of support. this close season, Danyy Wilson paid the penalty for failure yet again by being sacked and the future of the club was put inthe hands of long serving player, Brian Tinnion. Their record so far closely mirrors the division's other recently appointed player manager Paul Merson's, with a slow start followed by an improvement. The two teams are, in fact, level on points, although Bristol City have a better goal difference and a game in hand.

Paul Merson will still be missing injury victim Mark Kinsella and Jorge Leitao facs a late fiteness test. Apart from any enofrced change, expect a similar line up to Tuesday night:-

Murphy, Wright, Emblen, Bennett, Aranalde, Standing, Osborn, Wrack, Merson, Leitao or Fryatt, Birch.

One player who will not be figuring on the bench, however, is reserve striker Taiwo Atieno, who has gone to Rochdale on loan.

For City, Tinnion himself is injured, as is defender Jamie Smith.

As for the result? Tinnion has already given an interview on Bristol City's official site saying that it is vital they stop Merson playing, as that will restrict our opportunities. Considering Luton used similar tactics on Tuesday and the main result was the other midfielders running riot, it's difficult to see any other result tomorrow but the run continuing.
2 - 0 Saddlers.