17-05-2025, 12:29
When I saw the team selected for our second leg of the play-off I immediately switched back to watching Aston Villa. I thought our chances of winning were minimal, but it took only a few seconds of reflection to realise that heading for my 73rd birthday in June I couldn't just desert the club I'd supported all my life. As it turned out the second leg, even in defeat, made me wonder what the hell was going on a few days earlier. We made some changes it is true, but in truth we looked like a wholly different side last night. We passed the ball with apparent purpose. We appeared to have located the opposition's goal. And we seemed to have discovered the determination and spirit that had been previously entirely Walsall's. We lost. Walsall deserved to win. The wonderful Albert Adomah cast aside his zimmer and demonstrated that talent is ageless. And Levi Amantchi notched the winner which was just as things should be. The pitch invasion suggested Walsall should refrain from setting up a branch of Mensa any time soon. The solution to it merely emphasised that the fans were not the only ones who needn't worry about Mensa membership. So the season ends, not with a whimper, but a colourful smoke bomb.
My man of the match, indeed the whole tie went to Simkin the young Walsall keeper, whose goalkeeping was excellent, and whose behaviour was such that at his age he should be sent to the headmaster's study to explain his behaviour. He has it within him to play the game at any level. He was the best player on the pitch twice. He does not need to imitate a "mardy" child, sitting down whimpering and holding his poorly leg, when the obvious motive is simply to waste time. He is too good for that and needs to stop listening to any voices encouraging such behaviour. Imagine Gordon Banks doing that! He played for Stoke City too! Try to emulate him will you, not disgrace his memory!
Player Performances:-
Boot - 7 - did well in both legs, enhanced his reputation
Gordon - 6 - stopped passing back and pushed forward. Looked a player.
McFadzean - 6 - hewn not born. Too old to become creative, he stood as a barrier throughout, nail a sign on him.
Palmer - 5 - the less time he's given the better. Give him a last-ditch tackle, no decision time involved.
Mandeville - 7 - not a full back, but did a job and provided options going forward.
Fleck - 6.5 - didn't do what I expect of a defensive midfielder in front of his centre backs, but provided a couple of class touches and attempted to bring Dobra into the game to the extent of often slotting in behind him.
Naylor - 7 - a warrior, committed to the cause, he worked his socks off and ignored the blood.
Metcalfe - 6.5 - works, tries to create, can see a pass, can miss with one too, but he did more than okay.
Dobra - 7.5 - showed why we are a better team with him than without. Displayed skill and cheek in equal measure. Tried things, took players on, caused trouble and is brave enough to get things wrong sometimes too! Scored.
Banks - 6.5 - quite what his role was meant to be, baffled me, but it also troubled Walsall. Showed skill, caused problems, I'd like to have seen him take a couple of surprise pops at goal to test out the young keeper.
Pepple - 6 - seems permanently on the verge of falling. Turned defenders superbly but having made space always stumbled. Fought his aerial duels bravely, but would have been better served by a traditional wide man.
Sparkes - 6 - came on a sub' and lit up the place with dangerous crosses until Albert Adomah decided to show him some proper football.
Jacobs - 5 - came on too late to show he has genuine class.
Colclough - 5 - showed pace and tried a shot, looked the part, but it was only a bit part.
Grigg - 5 - not much of an opportunity to shine, but did show Pepple how to remain calm and decisive in the box.
Duffy - 4.5 - he's a winger and he tried but he isn't the man to win a cross in defence.
Cook - 6 - Manager. Never achieved full beetroot, his odd selection looked for a while as though it might work. Personally I'd have brought Grimes on with 20 minutes to go. He's a hero time guy who would have died to get on the end of a dead ball and score.
We lost. We tried. We will still be an EFL team next season.
My man of the match, indeed the whole tie went to Simkin the young Walsall keeper, whose goalkeeping was excellent, and whose behaviour was such that at his age he should be sent to the headmaster's study to explain his behaviour. He has it within him to play the game at any level. He was the best player on the pitch twice. He does not need to imitate a "mardy" child, sitting down whimpering and holding his poorly leg, when the obvious motive is simply to waste time. He is too good for that and needs to stop listening to any voices encouraging such behaviour. Imagine Gordon Banks doing that! He played for Stoke City too! Try to emulate him will you, not disgrace his memory!
Player Performances:-
Boot - 7 - did well in both legs, enhanced his reputation
Gordon - 6 - stopped passing back and pushed forward. Looked a player.
McFadzean - 6 - hewn not born. Too old to become creative, he stood as a barrier throughout, nail a sign on him.
Palmer - 5 - the less time he's given the better. Give him a last-ditch tackle, no decision time involved.
Mandeville - 7 - not a full back, but did a job and provided options going forward.
Fleck - 6.5 - didn't do what I expect of a defensive midfielder in front of his centre backs, but provided a couple of class touches and attempted to bring Dobra into the game to the extent of often slotting in behind him.
Naylor - 7 - a warrior, committed to the cause, he worked his socks off and ignored the blood.
Metcalfe - 6.5 - works, tries to create, can see a pass, can miss with one too, but he did more than okay.
Dobra - 7.5 - showed why we are a better team with him than without. Displayed skill and cheek in equal measure. Tried things, took players on, caused trouble and is brave enough to get things wrong sometimes too! Scored.
Banks - 6.5 - quite what his role was meant to be, baffled me, but it also troubled Walsall. Showed skill, caused problems, I'd like to have seen him take a couple of surprise pops at goal to test out the young keeper.
Pepple - 6 - seems permanently on the verge of falling. Turned defenders superbly but having made space always stumbled. Fought his aerial duels bravely, but would have been better served by a traditional wide man.
Sparkes - 6 - came on a sub' and lit up the place with dangerous crosses until Albert Adomah decided to show him some proper football.
Jacobs - 5 - came on too late to show he has genuine class.
Colclough - 5 - showed pace and tried a shot, looked the part, but it was only a bit part.
Grigg - 5 - not much of an opportunity to shine, but did show Pepple how to remain calm and decisive in the box.
Duffy - 4.5 - he's a winger and he tried but he isn't the man to win a cross in defence.
Cook - 6 - Manager. Never achieved full beetroot, his odd selection looked for a while as though it might work. Personally I'd have brought Grimes on with 20 minutes to go. He's a hero time guy who would have died to get on the end of a dead ball and score.
We lost. We tried. We will still be an EFL team next season.
