Analysis: Walsall's winter wobble rumble on after Accrington stalemate
Walsall's winter wobbles continue to rumble on after they served up a bore draw against Accrington Stanley at Bescot.
Mat Sadler understandably named an unchanged team from their previous win at Tranmere, but Walsall played with a concerning lack of intensity, or imagination.
Alex Pattison looked the likeliest player to score in the first half when he drove a low shot into the side netting and blazed another chance over the crossbar.
There was a ruthlessness to the attacking play when Walsall broke on the transition at Tranmere, but that was not the case against Accrington.
Open play concerns
Walsall completed just 47 per cent of their 204 passes and emerged with an xG of just 0.07 from open play.
It was from set pieces that Walsall looked most threatening and created their two best opportunities in a game that featured very few.
Evan Weir delivered a devilish free-kick towards the near post which was met by top scorer Daniel Kanu. His powerful header cannoned off the crossbar, as Walsall were beginning to build up a head of steam heading into the closing stages.
Questionable substitutions
That was until Sadler decided to withdraw Jamille Matt and Kanu, just as they finally appeared to be clicking after an otherwise frustrating afternoon.
Matt had spent the majority of the game engaged in a physical battle with defender Ferrend Rawson, but was beginning to get the better of his former Forest Green teammate.
Clarke and Charlie Lakin had picked up the baton from Jamie Jellis and Pattison in midfield and Walsall looked set for a late siege on the visitors' goal.
