Chris Eagles’ spectacular 85th minute winner at the Banks’ Stadium means Port Vale could yet retain their League One status, after edging out an even game 1-0 against a youthful Walsall side. But what have we learnt from the game? Vale’s solid start The visitors looked well-structured in the first quarter of the match, pressing… Read more →
Peterborough United fans who expressed discontent at the summer sale of Erhun Oztumer have been proved right. In an attacking midfield role, the Turk has scored 14 League One goals for new club Walsall, more than any of Posh’s strikers. One of the 14 was an injury-time derby winner against Shrewsbury back in October, which… Read more →
Clinical finishing in an organized display helped Walsall to a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday. But which players stood out? Walsall Neil Etheridge – made two key saves in the first half that helped swing the game in Walsall’s favour. Questionable positioning for Taylor’s consolation goal can be forgiven. 7 Matt Preston –… Read more →
Clinical finishing in an organized display helped Walsall to a 3-1 win over Bristol Rovers on Saturday. But what have we learnt from the game? Tight first half For 45 minutes, this was an even contest. Neither side played with classic wingers, so forwards on both teams found themselves drifting into wide areas. Rory Gaffney and… Read more →
Here are The Football Lab’s predictions for 13 of the weekend’s FA Cup games. We start at Priestfield… Gillingham v Brackley Town Gillingham’s Paul Konchesky scored for West Ham in the 2006 FA Cup Final, but the signs are his career could be coming to an end. With the veteran at left-back and a central… Read more →
An improved final half hour saw Walsall secure a point against Coventry City on Saturday. The Saddlers fell behind to a first half goal from Andy Rose and could have conceded more, but Erhun Oztumer earned his side a point with his late equalizer. The Turk did not have his usual influence in the first half, as Walsall… Read more →
Five goals, two red cards, an all-action second half… oh, and a late Erhun Oztumer winner scored directly from a corner. Walsall’s 3-2 win over Shrewsbury had no shortage of drama, even if it looked a quieter affair earlier on. The first quarter of an hour saw both defences on top. Neither side committed men forward so… Read more →
The work these respective clubs have done in the summer has defined the type of season they are in for. Bolton appointed a good manager in Phil Parkinson, they disposed with many of the players who let them down last year and added players who are proven at this level. Regarding Walsall, some allowances must… Read more →
Nicky Ajose was punching the floor after his game on Tuesday. That wasn’t because Charlton lost – they won 3-0 – but because he hadn’t scored. On Saturday afternoon, he was instead punching the sky in delight as his first goals for the club helped the Addicks to a 2-1 win at Walsall. It was… Read more →
Wigan Athletic recovered from relegation to storm to the League One title last season, but who will emulate their success this year? Out of the three relegated clubs, Charlton and Bolton have recruited managers and players the best, so The Football Lab backs both former Premier League campaigners to go up. MK Dons lacked attacking… Read more →