Weston dig for the big two

Friday 30th January 2009, 11:06AM GMT.

weston.jpgRhys Weston has cranked up the heat ahead of Walsall’s double header with Leeds and Leicester by telling them they are no longer big clubs.

The defender is set to make his comeback when Leeds visit the Banks’s Stadium after almost two weeks out with a calf injury and is relishing the chance of putting them in their place.

The Saddlers, who entertain Leicester on Tuesday, sit 16 points adrift of the play-offs and 13 behind seventh placed Leeds but Weston reckons despite their illustrious history, the visitors should remember they are in League One now.

He said: “People are always going to draw their own conclusions, but you are only as big as the division you’re in. We are a League One club, as are Leeds and Leicester, and we have seen during the course of the last two seasons we don’t fear anyone.”

The returning Weston could be joined by Michael Ricketts, Stephen Hughes and Stephen Roberts, who have all trained after recovering from injury.


  1. 1
    simon

    why do pro footballers make stupid comments about other teams. leeds united will always be a big club because of the size of their fan base and they have achieved most of their history at the highest level. it is not about what division a team is in but about size.take one look at walsalls home gate tomorrow and compare it to any other this season. take a look at leeds uniteds average crowds who come to watch their team play and not the opposition. THAT IS WHAT A BIG CLUB DOES AND IS.

    Report abuse

  2. 2
    Richard Wood

    So Glad that weston has realised that after 4 years, we are not a big club – how sharp is he? We sing ‘we’re not famous anymore’ at every game we play. If he needs any more words of wisdom to pass on, ask him to look in the sporting archives.

    Report abuse

  3. 3
    Neil Ravenscroft

    Well said, Rhys. Fed up of the big time Charlies who think they are too good to be in this Division. I’ve got news for them, they aren’t – that’s why they got relegated and, in Leeds’ case, why they’ve been in it two seasons.

    Report abuse

  4. 4
    Clive Sanderson

    Based on Rhys Weston’s bizare look on the size of a club I guess Man United would not be a big club if they were relagated! Much as I’d like to Scum go down like they did in the 70′s they, just like Leeds and to a lesser extent Leicester will always be a big club. It’s purely down to a teams support on how big they are. What you can say about Leeds is that they are a big but unsuccessful team.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Chris Sumner

    Despite what this muppet says Leicester are a big club, he wants to take a hard look at what his own team is achieving of late. Everything about Leicester and Leeds are of premiership quality (fan base, stadium, facilities can’t be assed to go on) other than the division we are in. Sort it out mate if you dont no one will.

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Lee

    Haha Rhys who?? Walsall ‘don’t fear anyone’ – and yet are just 7 points above the relegation zone. Maybe they should start getting scared.

    If Leeds aren’t big then why even make such comments? You are just perpetuating our status as big club by coming out with such statements.

    You’re lucky to even be on the same pitch. Enjoy your cup final

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    Simon The Saddler

    Question For Lee
    Are you one of these armchair Leeds fans who live in the midlands who support them because they were ONCE a big club!

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    boopolo

    Its is really sad when a player has to resort to statements like this. Rhys was expected to make it as a top player, but he was one of the 1,000s that just didn’t make the grade.
    He did play one game for Arsenal. After that it was all downhill for him.

    Report abuse

  9. 9
    playthepitch

    This bloke needs to make a BIG impression in the games against Leeds Utd and Leicester City, otherwise he is cannon fodder.

    He must enjoy confrontation. Red card on the horizon for this muppet?

    Report abuse

  10. 10
    Chad

    Face it, he’s right. You may have many fans but that just makes you well supported. No-one’s trying to claim Walsall are a big club cos we;re not but at least we don’t try to live in the past when in reality we’re in League 1 and many years from success but still clinging to the “good old days when we WERE big” like Leeds. Leicester haven’t been a big club for just as long and weren’t as big to begin with so they can pipe down too.

    Report abuse

  11. 11
    Anthony Yeboah

    No need to look any further than Simon`s post is there? Talk about hitting the nail on the head.

    Report abuse

  12. 12
    Anthony Yeboah

    Simon-you`ve hit the nail on the head.

    Report abuse

  13. 13
    Andy, Leeds

    Better to be ‘ONCE’ a big club than never at all… ;-)

    Report abuse

  14. 14
    Dave Beesley

    He once played for Arsenal? what the ladies team?

    Report abuse



Free e-Supplements

Business Awards

Book a Business Awards table Book a Business Awards table

Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now

Lifestyle

Interactive Dining Out map Interactive Dining Out map

Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.

entertainment

All the film reviews All the film reviews

Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases

OUR NEW APP

Get the new E&S app Get the new E&S app

Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.