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- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
No wholesale changes for Saddlers
Friday 5th March 2010, 10:49AM GMT.
Walsall manager Chris Hutchings looks set to resist the temptation to make wholesale changes against Millwall despite last week’s slump at Southampton.
The Saddlers went down to a 5-1 defeat on the south-coast last weekend – a result which has left them 15 points adrift of the play-offs.
The likes of goalkeeper Clayton Ince, Manny Smith, Mark Hughes and Steve Jones were on the bench all eager for a promotion, while Dwayne Mattis has also rated himself 50/50 to face the Lions after recovering from injury.
But Hutchings hints at keeping faith with the majority of the same players at the Banks’s Stadium tomorrow.
He said: “It was a disappointing result, but let’s not forget Southampton beat Huddersfield 5-0 on Tuesday as well.
“When you compare the resources that we have to what Huddersfield have it’s a massive, massive difference. If you look at in those terms we haven’t been doing too bad.
“When you’re asking me whether I’ve got big decisions to make, you could say ‘what about Rene Gilmartin in goal?’ But he had no chance for the goals, and pulled off some excellent saves.
“In recent games Clayton has made massive boobs. We were lucky to get away with it at Leeds but we didn’t against Yeovil. Whether it’s an outfield player or a goalkeeper I have big decisions to make.
“Unfortunately, we caught Southampton on a very good day, in Rene’s defence. If we were in the top two or three there would be big question marks about it but they had Rickie Lambert, who has cost over £1million and Lee Barnard cost a lot, they are players of calibre at this level.
“We will see what happens on Saturday. It’s nice to have a fully fit squad. In recent weeks when you’ve looked at the bench – and that’s no disrespect to the guys on the bench – it’s been very hard to change things.
“It’s nice to have a little bit of a choice.”
The Saddlers chief remained tight-lipped on whether Jones will be recalled, after the 33-year-old made his return from a lengthy lay-off as a substitute at St Mary’s last weekend.
Hutchings added: “Steve was our top scorer before he got injured, so it’s obviously a boost to have him back in the squad. But whether we decide to start him or not remains to be seen.”
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If he’s fit Jones should start!
Better to have him on at the start, creating and poss scoring, rather than throwing him on because we are chasing the game!
If he can only give us an hour, that’s better than the last 20 mins surely?
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It’s been hard to make substitutions according to Hutch. That explains a season of waiting until the 80th minute every game before you make a like for like switch then? I just thought it was because you were tactically inept!
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I don’t really care what Hutchings has to say anymore, the sooner he and Bonser are gone the better.
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Thats ridiculous, I’m a young fan in terms that iv only watched the team since the early 90′s, Bonser is a 50/50 theres negatives and postives of what hes done so i can understand some wanting him out. But Hutchings, ok its frustrating that he doesnt make subs and if he does its for the last 5 mins but given no money then 10th in league is the best any manager could do unless we have sir Ray. I really dont think its hutchings we need to worry about at the moment.
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