Harrogate vs Walsall - preview: Saddlers strive to rediscover strong defensive foundations
Walsall's excellent start to the 2025-26 season was built on a strong defensive foundations, but the back-line has not been quite as watertight of late.
Myles Roberts celebrated a run of three successive clean sheets during the Saddlers' wins over Salford City, MK Dons and Chesterfield respectively between August 23 and September 6.
Walsall starting to leak goals
The Watford loanee leaked just four goals in his first seven appearances in League Two, but has been unable to keep a clean sheet in any of his last nine since.
Walsall have shipped 13 during that sequence, including seven in their past four in the league.
One of the most alarming trends is the Saddlers' tendency to concede first in games, something they have done in each of their last six in League Two.
In fact, Walsall have trailed in nine of their 16 league matches so far, which has left often left them with a mountain to climb.
Only Fleetwood Town (11) and Colchester (nine) have salvaged more points from losing positions than Walsall (eight) in the division, but they are making life difficult for themselves by frequently falling behind in games.
Still not the time to panic
It's not the time to panic. After all, Walsall still sit second, after only being knocked off top spot last weekend by Swindon Town, who they trail by just a single point.
But it was the nature of the performance in their 2-0 home defeat against Colchester United last Saturday, particularly in the first half, which was most concerning.
Previously, Walsall dominated in terms of chances created in the back-to-back setbacks against Barrow and Cheltenham Town respectively.
They did so again after coming from behind to beat Newport County 4-2 at Rodney Parade earlier this month.
However, that was not the case against Colchester. Walsall were ineffective in possession and passive off the ball. That proved costly as Colchester sat back and exposed Walsall by playing controlled balls into the channels.
Walsall were 2-0 down by half-time, and deservedly so, while it took them until the 73rd-minute to register their first effort on target.
Prior to Colchester, performances have been relatively strong, but they appeared to lack guile and invention until the likes of Jid Okeke and Albert Adomah provided them with an injection of energy off the bench.
A chance to bounce back?
Now, Walsall will be looking to shake off that performance when they travel to Harrogate Town on Saturday.
Harrogate are languishing just a place and a point above the relegation zone ahead of the weekend following a run of five games without a win.
They last tasted victory at Gillingham on September 27, although it took a 93rd-minute equaliser for Notts County to rescue a point against them last week.
Double injury boost
Harrison Burke returned to full training on Thursday and will be in contention, after missing seven weeks with a knee injury.
Brandon Comley will also be available following a two-game absence due to illness, although Jamie Jellis has been ill this week and is not expected to be involved.
