Walsall need home rule

Wednesday, 08/09/2010

by Ben Lowe, Shoot's Walsall blogger

Walsall lose at home – sadly it’s becoming all too familiar. Saturday’s 1-0 setback at the hands of Colchester is our fourth defeat in five at Bescot and loyal supporters are voicing their anger at the team, booing them off the pitch following another poor performance.

With the international break meaning no Premier League fixtures, it was hoped fans of our top-flight neighbours with 90 free minutes to fill would get their football fix at the Banks’s Stadium. Unfortunately not many of them came, with only 3,416 watching the U’s narrowly beat the Saddlers.

I’m really worried about our plummeting attendances – and the inevitability it’ll get worse until we start winning our home games.

There were a couple of positives to take though. Emerging right-back Darryl Westlake played well and was deservedly voted Man of the Match, while fellow youngster Jamie Paterson impressed on his full debut.

Paterson, a lively 18-year-old striker who used to be on the books of Manchester United, was relatively unheard of before Saturday. Now supporters are dreaming of him being the next Matty Fryatt or Troy Deeney – both progressed through our youth and reserves teams to become goalscorers for our first-team.

Another attacking talent I have high hopes for is Will Grigg, who missed the Colchester game because he was away on international duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s.

Also in the squad was our on-loan defender Ryan McGivern, who skippered the side against San Marino and opened the scoring from the spot. Grigg came on as a sub and found the net just before the full-time whistle, so Walsall fans do have a little something to smile about!

This Saturday we travel to League One new boys Rochdale. In their last outing Keith Hill’s men beat manager-less Southampton at their place, so they’ll be full of confidence.

We’ll definitely be without midfielder Richard Taundry, who is out of action for a month with a knee injury. Three points and our first clean-sheet of the season would be a lovely result!

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