Walsall 1-0 Darlington (League Two) Sat 26 Aug This was by no means our prettiest performance, but it was enough to maintain our impressive start to the campaign. Darlington have assembled a strong squad over the summer, and it surprises me that they haven’t as yet been able to justify why many rate them as one of the favourites for promotion. However, I’m sure they’ll be challenging at the right end of the table when the season gathers pace. I feel we looked very average at times against the Quakers, but we have to remember that we restricted a good team to only a handful of chances, which is something we have to be pleased about.
 | | Bescot Stadium Walsall |
Roper and Gerrard were both excellent at the back and it was nice to see Fox return to his natural position of full-back. I’m still unconvinced by Westwood at right-back, who looks incredibly uncomfortable. Some of his distribution was nothing short of embarrassing and the boo-boys won’t go away if he can’t get the basics right. But there’s little reason to be negative. We’ve picked up 13 points out of a possible 15, conceding only two goals, and there’s our second round clash with Bolton Wanderers in the Carling Cup to look forward. August has been a superb month for the Saddlers; September just can’t come quick enough. Plymouth 0-1 Walsall (Carling Cup) Tues 22 Aug I think it's safe to say that our recent past is well and truly behind us. This was not a fluke result: we had a game plan, stuck to it and reaped the rewards. It's great to knockout a team who play at a higher level, but it's the way we were victorious which is so satisfying.
 | | Saddlers' season to celebrate? |
Of course we won't win the Carling Cup, but a decent run would be a good little earner for the club. Progress in round two would put us in the hat with the Premiership big guns: who wouldn't want to take on Chelsea or Manchester United in their own back yard? Dosh was modest about his inspired substitution after the game, a gamble which many would have laughed off. Scott Dann hasn't made many appearances for the first-team, but from what I know he would be best described as an old-fashioned centre-half. So why play him as a striker? Because Dosh knew his physical presence would give Plymouth's back four a headache. And it did. Dann's winner stunned the home faithful and sent the loyal travelling contingent into raptures. It's back to league matters on Saturday with the visit of big-spending Darlington. They've not made a fantastic start to their season, but a 2-1 victory away at Stoke City this week shows they're made of strong stuff. It should be a tasty encounter, but I'll plump for a narrow Saddlers victory. Lincoln 2-2 Walsall (League Two) Sat Aug 19 Undoubtedly there'll be times this season when the going gets tough. Our opening three games have gone magnificently, but it was a different story 45 minutes into match number four. Two goals down away from home, it's a scenario supporters have been used to seeing over the past few years. However, this is a different team, so why should they roll over like their predecessors? They didn't, and it was a second-half comeback to remember for Portuguese debutant Carlos Fangueiro. After putting pen-to-paper on a six-month deal on Friday, Fangueiro grabbed a dramatic last-minute leveller to salvage a point for his new employers. His goal got me thinking: there can't be many players who have enjoyed debuts as good as that in recent times? Oh, what about Paul Merson? In fact, less said about him the better! Moving swiftly on, the character which the team showed at Sincil Bank should give us reason for optimism. Some believe it's the difference between success and failure, so here's hoping it's true. We make the long journey south to play Championship outfit Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday evening for a place in the second round of the Carling Cup. Merson was very happy to abuse the competition during his two-year reign, so I'm looking forward to seeing what approach Dosh takes. Regardless of the end result, the clash will most certainly prove a stern examination of our promotion credentials. Walsall 2-0 Hartlepool (League Two) Sat Aug 12 Three games, three wins, three clean-sheets, nine points, top of League Two. Perfect. Dean Keates, who came in for his first start of the season for the injured Michael Dobson, hammered us ahead on 18 minutes with a 20-yard thunderbolt. Hector Sam was once again the provider; his third assist in the space of a week. Moments later, Hartlepool were handed the chance to draw level when Anthony Gerrard was adjudged to have taken down Welsh wing wizard Eifion Williams as he burst into the box. The decision by referee Graham left Saddlers fans fuming, and rightly so, with Gerrard's challenge clearly outside the area. But there was justice when Clayton Ince superbly saved Gavin Strachan's spot-kick. It was United's third penalty miss of the campaign, so my advice would be to get in touch with England's penalty takers – best in the business... Keates then added to the visitors' woes with a brilliant volley before half-time. There was no way back for Danny Wilson's men as we went on to record another comfortable victory. Good times! Walsall 2-0 Stockport (League Two) Tues Aug 8 United – that's the word which best describes the atmosphere on Tuesday evening. Yes, the result and performance was magnificent, but the buzz around Bescot was absolutely electric. It's been a very long time since I've walked out of Bescot feeling so positive, having thoroughly enjoyed going to watch my local team. And I know I wasn't the only one... Martin Butler got the opener; rifling a low drive into the bottom corner of the net after latching on to Hector Sam's defence-splitting header. Dosh must be saying something right during the half-time interval. Within three minutes of the restart, Ian Roper connected with Kris Taylor's wicked corner and it was 2-0 to the Saddlers. Supporters are learning quickly that they have to be in their seats on time for the second-half if they don't want to miss any of the action! However, the night ended on a sour note when inspirational skipper Michael Dobson suffered a deep gash to his forehead. One look at Dobbo will tell you he's not the type to go down easily, and the alarm bells were ringing when physio Jon Whitney immediately called for a stretcher. Fans will be keeping their fingers crossed that the injury is not as bad as first feared, but whatever the outcome, we wish him a speedy recovery. Bring on the Monkey Hangers! Rochdale 0-1 Walsall (League Two) Sat 5 Aug It was the outcome we had all been hoping for; a solid performance coupled with an encouraging opening day victory. New boss Richard Money, who has instated a positive belief around Bescot since his appointment in May, handed starts to all five of his available signings. Clayton Ince, Allan Picken, Michael Dobson, Hector Sam and the returning Martin Butler joined Craig Pead, Anthony Gerrard, Kris Taylor, Mark Wright, Daniel Fox and Mark Kinsella to complete Money’s line-up. The Saddlers began where pre-season had left off, with the team looking organised in defence and dangerous in attack from the very first whistle. After dominating the opening 45 minutes, it came as no surprise when Butler found the back of the net early in the second-half. Rochdale saw more of the ball after the goal, but we never looked like squandering our slender lead. The sound of the final whistle thrilled the travelling faithful who tasted victory for only the fourth time in 2006. It will be interesting to see whether Money decides to stick with his winning team amid the return of Ian Roper and Chris Westwood following their suspensions. One thing is for sure though; we have got our Walsall back! | 
