Tranmere Rovers vs Walsall - Match Preview
Lee Grant’s Walsall are coming off the back of a disappointing defeat to League One Stevenage in the newly named “Jersey Mike’s Trophy”. While it was a relatively second-string side that competed against the Boro, it will be interesting to see if the Saddlers can put the psychological effects of such a heavy defeat to the side to focus on league action.
The Boss’ Comments
The Saddlers boss appeared happy with the involvement of academy players, suggesting it was a “harsh lesson for some with some of those young players finding it really really tough”, while also being quick to criticise the performance of his side against Stevenage, saying they “lacked all of the qualities they have displayed over the past 8/9 games”,
When asked about the upcoming fixture against Tranmere, Grant was quick to suggest that this defeat was nothing more than just a blip and is happy to get back to league action on Saturday. “Its important to get back to the standards that we’ve set…tonight should sting and should give us some encouragement to work really hard over the next couple of days”
It is yet to be seen if this is just a freak result for the Saddlers but the fixture against the Rovers will be seen as a good opportunity to get back to winning ways.
Tranmere…Dark Horses or Easy Pickings?
Darrell Clarke will be looking for an upset against his former employers, with a league defeat the one thing the Saddlers have managed to avoid this season, but will his side have the quality needed to knock Walsall off the unbeaten list?
The Rovers, who are unbeaten at home in all competitions this season, are coming off the back of a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury in their own respective Jersey Mike’s Trophy Fixture. However in League Two, their results have been more consistent of a mid-table team with 3 draws, 1 win and 1 loss in their last 5 games whereas Walsall have been successful with 2 wins, 3 draws and no losses,
Defensive stats for Tranmere should fill them with confidence, as they have only conceded 2 goals at home this season, both coming in the same game against Rotherham. Lee Grant’s men do boast a sturdy defensive record, having only conceded 4 in League Two this season, additionally having a current run of 3 consecutive league clean sheets.
Attacking stats have been open to interpretation for both teams. For the travelling Reds, scoring 7 in 5 can read as positive however failing to score in 2 of their last 3 games. Expected goals was higher in their home draw against Rochdale, hitting 1.76xG whereas their away trip to Exeter only provided 0.40xG. This is yet to be seen whether this is a pattern for Lee Grants men or just the story of one unlucky day in front of goal.
Clarke’s Rovers have suffered from the same inconsistency in front of goal as Walsall, scoring 6 in 5 and almost identically to Walsall, failing to score in 2 of their last 3 league games. Expected goals would appear to tell the same story for both sides as in their 2-0 loss away to Gillingham they managed 1.25xG and 0.88xG in their 0-0 draw away to Exeter.
It will certainly be interesting to find out how a Walsall side that is unbeaten will tackle a well-drilled Tranmere side that are yet to lose at Prenton Park.
Injuries- Problem or Opportunity?
The Saddlers have not been blessed by the injury gods this season, and their woes are expected to continue with on-loan midfielder Antony Evans sidelined until January. Alex Pattison, considered a key technical player by Grant, is also expected to be out for the same amount of time.
However, it is not all bad news for Walsall as top scorer Aaron Pressley is expected to be welcomed back into the starting lineup for the Reds following an undisclosed injury that kept him out of the squad for the local derby against Port Vale.
Tranmere are not concerned with injuries currently, and no major player is expected to miss the fixture against Walsall.
Potential Problem Players
One potential problem player for Walsall to keep an eye on would have to be Bobby Faulkner. The 22-year old on-loan centre-back has been key to Rovers’ defensive stability. With 71 defensive contributions and 75.6% of all duels won, the 6ft 1 defender will prove a difficult mountain to overcome for a Saddlers attack who at times, have wilted in the face of a sturdy defence.
Goals for Tranmere have been spread out quite widely across the team with no one player scoring more than 3. Joint top scorers are striker Dylan Jones, winger Zane Okoro and EFL journeyman Tom Ince, who i have singled out as Tranmere’s biggest attacking threat. His vast EFL experience, well-aged ability and in-game intelligence single him out in his own right as a player the Walsall defence will have to be very aware of if they would like to keep their 4th consecutive league clean sheet.
Walsall’s “Problem Player” that i have singled out is Reece Smith. Following a summer saga that saw Walsall have several bids knocked back for the young winger, a deal was finally agreed and he appears to have hit the ground running. With his 3 assists and 1 goal in all competitions this season, plus the fact he is 3rd overall in the division for chances created, he is already well on his way to beating his G/A tally from last season. I believe his pace, skill and ability both on and off the ball will keep the Tranmere defence busy should he be given the chance to prove himself.
An honourable mention must go to goalkeeper Jed Ward who has shown he can step up when Walsall needs him. Ward leads the table comfortably in terms of clean sheets, and his save percentage is only bettered by Tom Booth of Crewe and Harrison Male, for Tranmere.
Predicted score and line-ups
We can see that both Tranmere and Walsall are still settling into the new season, and rather than predict an upset for either side, I am happily sitting on the fence. With both goalkeepers showing their pedigree, I believe a draw is expected, with very few goals.
My Prediction- Tranmere 0-0 Walsall
Predicted XI for both sides
Walsall (4-2-3-1) Ward, Ahui, Skura, Connolly, Hancock, Moore, Sprangler, Smith, Simper, Clarke, Pressley.
Tranmere (4-2-3-1) Male, Slater, Faulkner, Brough, Senior, Vaulks, Warrington, Whittaker, Ince, Okoro, Jones.
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