Analysis of Brentford 1 Walsall 1
Attrition and effort gave a prelude to next week – but more importantly something bigger.
The first act at Griffin Park on Saturday set the scene for the FA Cup sequel this weekend, after Ben Strevens and Steve Jones ensured the spoils were shared.
A point was fair but it was the manner of Walsall's performance which was most encouraging – first half aside – as a dour opening period gave way to one of determination.
The biggest compliment you can give the Saddlers is that graft and commitment makes them what they are. There is mettle in this side and effort in abundance – even if the class is sometimes lacking.
But the Saddlers are never far away from moments of excellence. Jones, Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney are the key men in that respect and have show this season they can turn on the skill.
With the battling qualities of Dwayne Mattis and Mark Bradley, coupled with the resilience of the back four, Chris Hutchings' side will never be accused of lacking effort. With winnable games on the horizon, the Saddlers can make statements of real intent this winter.
The visit of Oldham tomorrow falls into the 'must win' category. Hutchings knows – despite just one defeat at the Banks's Stadium this season – his side have squandered home advantage too often. Three points against the Latics will entrench them within the play-off contenders.
A mini league has developed below the top six. They are the teams who have lacked the necessary quality to become one of the pacesetters but are there because of their tenacity to hold onto the coattails of the top six.
Millwall and Bristol Rovers join Walsall in that group and are opponents next month. The Saddlers travel to the duo knowing positive results will keep them in the hunt.
Defeats will leave them needing to make up ground all over again. Consistency, or lack of, has been the bane of the Saddlers for too long but Walsall are in danger of finding some. December is key, keeping in touch – or even breaking into the top six – means come January the Saddlers will be an attractive prospect.
The manager's budget is minimal, certainly in comparison to other play-off hopefuls, and he will have to work his magic. An injection of one or two quality players is needed as Jones cannot do it on his own. The 33-year-old is running the show. While occasionally on the periphery on Saturday, the winger delivered when needed again.
Top scorer – from the right wing – he is enjoying the perfect Indian summer. He was brought in to add experience and quality and has done exactly that. Northern Ireland will come calling again should he maintain the standards which have seen him plunder seven goals this season – six in the last eight games.
Jones deserves to be there and national boss Nigel Worthington must not overlook him again. For all the plaudits handed to the young guns it is the elder statesmen who are leading the way but they were ably supported at Griffin Park by Bradley, Manny Smith and Netan Sansara.
Bradley, a patchy performer this season, was given more freedom to get forward and revelled in the opportunity.
He is an offensive midfielder and giving him licence to attack brings out the best in him. He demonstrated the battling qualities which enabled his side to retrieve a point in London. A bleak, wet, afternoon in the capital calls for the sort of effort to get you out of a hole and it was evident after the break after a first period where the visitors were second best.
Aside from a positive opening 60 seconds, the Saddlers failed to get to grips with their well-drilled hosts. Too often second balls went uncontested and Brentford allowed the freedom of the flanks.
Smith and Mark Hughes formed an impressive barrier after the interval and the contribution of Sansara should not be overlooked. But it was a shaky start from the Saddlers as Charlie MacDonald fired a warning shot before the hosts took a deserved lead.
Myles Weston was given far too much space by his namesake Rhys and his hanging cross was converted by an unmarked Strevens. The Saddlers defence, with three clean sheets from their previous four games, had gone AWOL and Clayton Ince was forced into a smart save by John Bostock soon after.
The Bees were dominant while the Saddlers' forays were denied by on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, as the Pole thwarted Byfield and Deeney before half-time. The hosts would have expected similar dominance after the break but the visitors had other ideas and levelled on 67 minutes.
Brentford allowed a high ball to bounce and, while all the attention was on Byfield, Jones arrived from nowhere to drill past Szczesny.
It sparked a resurgence. Bradley and Matt Richards went close with the visitors visibly lifted. Bostock had a header ruled out for offside but a winner would have been harsh as neither side deserved victory.
An archetypal mid-table League One clash unsurprisingly ended in a draw but it could be the foundation to success.
By Nick Mashiter
