Some people have argued this week that the return of Michael Ricketts represents a bit of a gamble for Walsall, writes Walsall blogger Mark Jones.
I can’t agree with that at all. We have the prodigal forward on a three month loan, what’s the worst that can happen?
He can fail to deliver in terms of goals, put in a few half-hearted efforts and then disappear off onto yet another loan move elsewhere.
Saturday I think we saw enough of the raw talent Ricketts has always possessed to suggest that there might be a lot more to come from this particular loan move.
There were encouraging signs that the on-field mentor he has needed to play alongside throughout his career could be a certain T. Mooney and Richard Money is making all the right noises about how he can get the best out of Michael.
Indeed I get the feeling that Dicky could be viewing the next three months as a good test of his managerial capabilities.
Actually when you think about it, the worst that could happen is Ricketts could bag a dozen goals and create a host of unwanted interest from rival clubs (remember Kevin Harper first time round?).
Personally I’ve always thought that Ricketts has had something about him, he has that explosive burst of pace that defenders find uncomfortable and an ability to bury the one on ones.
When he scored for Oldham against us in September it was with a finish that no-one in our squad could have produced.
Sure there’s always going to be the question mark about attitude and consistency that has plagued him throughout his career, and there can never be any excuse for the gesture he made towards us, his own team’s fans, after his goal at Tranmere in 2000.
But I think, as Martin Butler proved, everyone deserves a second chance to be a Saddler. Good luck to you Mikee.
The last word today has to go to Tommy Mooney though - 200 career goals is a mighty fine achievement and mere words alone can’t do justice to the sheer quality of number 201. Roll on the 300.
Saddlers fans, what do you think? Have your say below.
3 Comments
Agree with you Mark.Deserves 2nd chance to be a Saddler.
Michael Ricketts is a player that has a “languid” look about him when he plays, but he has the ability to produce a sudden burst of speed and score which is dsiconcerting. I saw him play on TV twice last year and also when he got a bad injury and I thought he played well. Please fans just givehim a chance.
PS We are not related
Michael is really an enigma, just before he scored he seemed very lanquid & lethargic, then when he spied an opportunity he just exploded. His run made his header & he made a difficult goal look very easy. Later on he lost the ball in their half & it was hoofed forward (as Shrewsbury tend to do), there was danger when their forward got almost to the byline but who was their but Michael Ricketts to clear for a corner. He works harder than he is given credit for. He is a good player & I hope we can keep him, he will contribute to us getting into the Championship again.