A third win in a row, and the first-time that we’ve won all three games in a three-game week since 2001 . The league campaign has really hit lift-off now, with this upcoming Checkatrade Trophy tie with Walsall feeling more like a distraction than a chance to mount another run towards Wembley.
With this being the fourth game in the space of 10 days – and with a league game to be played on Saturday – Mark Robins is almost certain to stretch the competition’s rules on rotating the side to the maximum. After losing the opening group game of this competition, if we lose this game and Shrewsbury win theirs, we are out.
Running through the potential changes to the side, while this game could be a good opportunity for the likes of Liam O’Brien and Dion Kelly-Evans to get a run-out, Robins may end up prioritising other positions in which to rest the incumbents in order to keep within the competition’s rules.
Chris Stokes seems the likeliest member of the back five to be rested, and although Ryan Haynes has only just returned to training, Mark Robins can choose from Chris Camwell and Jordan Shipley – who have both acquitted themselves well at left-back in cup games this season. With Doyle and Kelly both likely to be rested, Ben Stevenson is certain to come into the team and his midfield partner probably depends on whether Shipley is used at left-back, with Callum Maycock more than capable as an alternative central midfield option.
This game is also a chance for Marc McNulty, Stuart Beavon and possibly Peter Vincenti to make returns to the starting line-up after recent injuries. McNulty is the likeliest player to come in for Nazon for the upcoming league game against Barnet, so Robins will surely will want him to get minutes under his belt. Maxime Biamou looked jaded towards the end of the Crewe game, which enhances the case for Beavon to start. Vincenti, if fit, seems likely to come in for Jodi Jones, who it wouldn’t hurt to keep fresh for more important games.
Last Time We Met
Although relegation had already been confirmed by the time we last played Walsall, the players produced a performance of character and quality to display that they hadn’t downed tools. Most notably, the forgotten man Vladimir Gadzhev had an excellent game in central midfield, and George Thomas scored the only goal, which ultimately further secured his future away from this club. There was also a red card for Walsall in the second-half of that game which effectively ended the contest.
How Are They Doing?
This season has seen Walsall continue their inconsistent form under manager Jon Whitney. Whenever things look like breaking out into all-out crisis, Whitney always somehow manages to stumble across a winning formula to ease the pressure on him – although Walsall have only won one game out of their past six in the league.
While Erhun Oztumer is still, by far, Walsall’s key attacking player, their attacking options this season have been bolstered via the loan signings of Tyler Roberts and ex-Sky Blues forward Dan Agyei. Agyei seems to have improved slightly on the inconsistency he showed with us last year, but Roberts has stood-out more with his pace and direct-running adding an extra dimension to Walsall’s attacking options.
The nature of this competition though means that Jon Whitney is likely to give opportunities to some of Walsall’s more promising younger players from their fairly successful academy. The likes of Liam Kinsella and Reece Flanagan have had a fair few first-team opportunities in recent years without establishing themselves in the team, while there are hopes around the club that defender Kory Roberts and winger Maz Kouhyar (once on the books at Coventry City) will develop into first-team regulars over the next few years.
Prediction
Walsall as both the home side and the higher-division side start are favourites for this game by default. On any other occasion though, we would see this tie as a chance to spring something of an upset, but with Robins likely to name a heavily-changed side, it all depends on how seriously Walsall are willing to take this game too.
If Walsall name a full-strength XI, they’ll win this fairly comfortably. If some of their better attacking players are rested, there’s probably a fair chance that a spirited Sky Blues side packed with youngsters looking to stake a first-team claim could go out and get the win – especially given the fairly positive mood around the club. Being my usual pessimistic self though, I’m going for a 1-0 defeat.
Sideways Sammy 