Walsall v Bradford - Match preview
Walsall defender Harry Williams wants to continue making Bescot a “horrible place” for opponents to come ahead of the visit of in-form Bradford City tomorrow afternoon.
The Saddlers have collected six wins from their last nine league games on home soil, and will be aiming to start the campaign with three successive home wins for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2006-07.
Bradford were the last team to beat Walsall at Bescot, as they blew an early two-goal lead in an ill-fated 3-2 defeat in April, but Williams is focused on the task at hand rather than exacting revenge.
“The home support is great,” he said. “We’ve had a good spell in the cup and in the league games.
“We hope to keep it going, we feel like the fans who’re behind us when we’re there are massively important too.
“When we go out there, we know what to bring and we try to do that in away games as well. If we can make it a horrible place to come then it’s always nice to perform in front of your home fans.
“We go into every game knowing it’s a tough league. We respect our opponents but we’ve had a full week to prepare and we’re going into the game focused on the task at hand.
“I don’t see it as a revenge mission but ultimately we’re there to do a job and get the three points.”
Williams was not involved in the loss against the Bantams earlier this year but he has good memories of the reverse fixture at Valley Parade.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a standout display as he kept former Walsall marksman Andy Cook at bay in open play in a 3-1 Walsall victory in September last year.
While Williams agreed it was a performance that ranks highly in his early career, the defender added that he is not one to rest on his laurels.
“It was very good and I remember it quite well but I feel you’re only as good as your next game,” he observed.
“It’s alright doing it one time and I’d agree that maybe I did have a really good game. The qualities I showed in that game, I’ve tried to put into every performance.”
Williams is poised to continue his role in the centre of the back-three with Donervon Daniels (knee), Oisin McEntee (calf) and Priestley Farquharson (thigh) all unavailable.
Club captain Daniels is back on the grass and will be fighting to be available in the next fortnight along with Brandon Comley, who has been out with a fractured leg since mid-July.
Tommy Simkin is expected to be restored between the sticks after his exploits for England under-20s during the international break.
Liam Gordon remains a strong doubt after missing the MK Dons defeat with a knee injury.
His namesake Josh has been ruled out for the weekend with a hamstring issue but will be battling to be fit for the trip to Salford City on Saturday next week.
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