Saddlers Social: Walsall fans have their say

Kevin Paddock

Well that was the best weekend ever.

On Friday, I met Jorge Leitao and Darren Wrack – two of my teen idols and two legends of the club.

After a couple of hours chatting about their time at Walsall, we went our separate ways as Wracky was taking Jorge to watch Wolves U23’s and Manchester United.

On Saturday we then played out the most entertaining game of the season so far. We are now back up to ninth in League One and just two points off the play offs - we would have all taken that in August!

I picked up Jorge on Sunday for the fans v legends game and nearly caused a crash with my idol in the passenger seat!

Luckily I got us all to the game where my idols like Ian Roper, Wrack, Dean Keates and Leitao all played.

Jorge rolled back the years and scored four - I reckon he could still do a job for us! It was a great afternoon and thanks must go to Trust secretary Steve Davies for making it happen.

That bloke never stops doing the best for us the supporters. We have the best club and supporters in the land!

Nick Etheridge

Three points against Wycombe were much needed to stop the ‘panic’ in some quarters.

The switch to a three man midfield saw the best of the three players that played there.

It meant Isaiah Osbourne could concentrate on winning the ball and playing it intelligently without having to do too much running.

Connor Ronan, as the spare man, dictated the tempo of the game rather than fighting for the right to play.

And these factors meant George Dobson could influence the game more than he has for a few weeks, due to him not having to cover for either of the other two as part of a pair.

There’s a place for the 4-4-2, but it’s good we’ve got another way of playing.

Speaking of playing, it was a pleasure to be part of the fans team that took on a legends side for the supporters trust, even if we did get an absolute mauling!

Tom Miner

With Jorge Leitao gracing the Banks’s Stadium with his presence last week, and the incredible reception he got, it made think through the last 10 years of Walsall, and wonder how many players you could really call a fans favourite, someone who kids would want on the back of their shirt or on their bedroom walls.

With such a large turnover of players every year, it’s going to be difficult for anyone to reach the status that the likes of Jorge enjoys, but hopefully the current crop can do just that.

With their tenacious attitude and passion for the badge, coupled with dare I say it, a tilt for promotion, maybe one or two of the 2018/2019 class could reach legendary status like our Portuguese hero.

Greg Shelton

It was great to see the Saddlers return to winning ways against Wycombe after a tough couple of away games.

It was also fantastic to see the team claim their first home league win since mid-August.

There were some real standout performances last weekend including a solid debut from Russell Martin, an energetic and creative masterclass from Conor Ronan and a superb showing from Andy Cook, who led the line brilliantly, which was capped off by a well-deserved goal, although how it wasn’t two, I’m not quite sure.

However, there was another performance for me which went unnoticed, and I think this is testimony to the quality of the man week in, week out and that’s Liam Roberts.

In less than 12 months our home grown shot-stopper is now for me the most accomplished goalkeeper in this division and every game he seems to be pulling off top class saves, controlling his box very well, bringing a level of composure beyond his years and making very few mistakes, and Saturday was no exception.

We have been blessed with some fine keepers over the last 20 years, as well as the emergence of some top class home-grown talent.

However, in Roberts we may well have the best in both categories rolled into one!