The Saddlers looking to end 12 years of hurt
The League Cup has not been kind to the Saddlers in the 12 years following their last third round appearance.
Since Walsall were edged out 5-4 on penalties, following a 2-2 draw at Premier League Blackburn on 6 November 2002, they have won just four of their ensuing 15 matches in the competition.
More often than not they have endured unkind draws against higher league opposition – their 2-1 home defeat to Darlington in August 2008 and a 2-1 loss to Accrington, both of League Two, being dismal exceptions.
There have been some close shaves in that time, with the Saddlers going close but never quite managing to get their name in the hat for round three.
A 3-1 second round defeat to then Premier League Bolton Wanderers back in the 2006-07 campaign had teased at an upset, before two late goals from Ivan Campo and Nicholas Anelka ultimately put paid to their chances for another year.
Bolton also dumped Walsall out of the competition at the same stage and by the same score back in 2003-04 while Sheffield Wednesday, Swansea, Tranmere, Middlesbrough, Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City have also come up trumps from meetings with the West Midlanders in the last 12 years.
Tonight's opponents Crystal Palace have also added to that number when the sides met in the 2005-06 campaign, scoring three second-half goals in a 3-0 triumph at Selhurst Park.
Tony Popovic, Danny Granville and Michael Hughes all found the net and Walsall will be hoping lightning does not strike twice when the sides meet at the Banks' Stadium tonight.
Walsall's four wins – all first round ties – in the last 12 years have come against Carlisle in 2003-04, Plymouth in 2006-07, Brentford in 2012-13 and Port Vale last season.
The first of those saw goals from big Saddlers names in Paul Merson and Jorge Leitao.
