Yeovil Town (A) League 1 Tuesday 8/1/08.

[tinned]

See, we take off that fat, lazy, nomad Ricketts and we score straight away.

Lesson for DD there :)

Come on you Reds!!!!

Why is it for a few ignorant people who can't support the whole team that Ricketts remains a marked man.

Now then, let me think. Who would I trust with my team on a Saturday ? Who is the most trustworthy and knowlegable judge of a player? A manager who has inspired a team to achieve the almost impossible over the past three months...who said of Ricketts tonight that he brings quality to the team...OR...OldPenkSaddler who describes the same player as a fat lazy nomad. Mmmm. Tough one that.

I think I'm fairly safe in saying this ..........
























WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSHITY McWHOOSH

[Magic Man Fan]

See, we take off that fat, lazy, nomad Ricketts and we score straight away.

Lesson for DD there :)

Come on you Reds!!!!

Why is it for a few ignorant people who can't support the whole team that Ricketts remains a marked man.

Now then, let me think. Who would I trust with my team on a Saturday ? Who is the most trustworthy and knowlegable judge of a player? A manager who has inspired a team to achieve the almost impossible over the past three months...who said of Ricketts tonight that he brings quality to the team...OR...OldPenkSaddler who describes the same player as a fat lazy nomad. Mmmm. Tough one that.

I think I'm fairly safe in saying this ..........
























WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSHITY McWHOOSH

Possibly the best Whooosh ever!

Oh dear Fish, that was almost big baz like. :P

[Magic Man Fan]

PS......Believe.

[Registered Saddler]

I've thought for a while this season that there has scarcely been a time when I have been more proud of the team I support. I don't know if it is the long unbeaten run, my unshaken faith in the manager or the number of homegrown kids in the team. Probably all three, and many more reasons besides. And if this is a season to be proud then tonight marks the pinnacle.

Let me elaborate. During the first half we faced gale-force winds and torrential rain, meaning we had to - quite literally - weather the storm from Yeovil. To give you an idea of the ferocity of the conditions, one of Clayton's goal-kicks went out for a corner. Unsurprisingly, we were camped in our own half and it was shots-in from Yeovil although, aside from two very presentable openings inside the opening five minutes (both went over the bar), there wasn't much to worry us unduly.

Second half it was a different story - and not just the weather, which thankfully abated so we were able to get the ball down and pass it, rather than lumping it as hard as we could into the gale. Super-sub and set-piece maestro Taundry stepped up and planted a free-kick straight on to the head of ZiDann with his first touch - 1-0. Nicholls cut inside his marker and fired an angled shot into the corner 4 minutes later - 2-0. After that we counter-attacked with quality, pace and vigour meaning that we were always the more likely scorers. Nicholls missed a couple of chances for a deserved second, while Brittain, Bradley and Deeney also had efforts.

Those are the bare bones but the detail is so much richer than that. Every man in a blue/yellow jersey deserves a huge pat on the back for their endeavours tonight - not just in facing near-impossible weather conditions but also in showing their genuine (Championship?) class after half-time. Part of me wants to leave it there, but I feel I should mention three individuals:
Nicholls/Deeney - not only are we moulding players who have genuine quality, but this pair also have hearts of lions. They never stopped all night and even though the end product isn't quite there yet, they are both on the path to greater things, I'm sure of it.
Fox - true professional. Never mind the off-field stuff, he got his head down and gave it his all. This was evidenced in the second half where he slid in to block a Yeovil effort from 12 yards that was destined for the net. If you're reading this Foxy - a word to the wise: SACK YOUR AGENT!!! The best place to be right now is at the centre of the Walsall Revolution, which you have helped to kick off. We are heading for the Championship, my friend, so won't you come and join the ride.

[Kiansmom]

Just got in, What can I say??

I'm proud to be a Saddler!!! Every Walsall player on that pitch tonight deserves nothing but praise.As RS said the conditions in the first half were appalling,The wind nearly blew me away at one point. The lads never gave in and we battled to the very end, 2-0 was actually flattering to Yeovil we could have had 4 or 5.

UTS!!

p.s Sonko seems to have regained some of his form :mrgreen:

[Exile]

Don't know why, but this result feels really special.

[handsworth saddler]

Don't know why, but this result feels really special.

Maybe it's because we've lost Sweeny and that Fox maybe on his way also (I really hope he doesn't go though). Also playing and winning in what sounded like appalling conditions with two of our best young players scoring.

Or it could be that January is often a rocky month in terms of form for us, even though it early days!!

Either way we're in a great postion in the table :D

[OldPenkSaddler]

See, we take off that fat, lazy, nomad Ricketts and we score straight away.

Lesson for DD there :)

Come on you Reds!!!!

Why is it for a few ignorant people who can't support the whole team that Ricketts remains a marked man.

Now then, let me think. Who would I trust with my team on a Saturday ? Who is the most trustworthy and knowlegable judge of a player? A manager who has inspired a team to achieve the almost impossible over the past three months...who said of Ricketts tonight that he brings quality to the team...OR...OldPenkSaddler who describes the same player as a fat lazy nomad. Mmmm. Tough one that.

I think I'm fairly safe in saying this .........


WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSHITY McWHOOSH

I hooked me a Fish. :lol:

Some people are a bit daft, aye they. :D

[King Crimson]

I've thought for a while this season that there has scarcely been a time when I have been more proud of the team I support. I don't know if it is the long unbeaten run, my unshaken faith in the manager or the number of homegrown kids in the team. Probably all three, and many more reasons besides. And if this is a season to be proud then tonight marks the pinnacle.

Let me elaborate. During the first half we faced gale-force winds and torrential rain, meaning we had to - quite literally - weather the storm from Yeovil. To give you an idea of the ferocity of the conditions, one of Clayton's goal-kicks went out for a corner. Unsurprisingly, we were camped in our own half and it was shots-in from Yeovil although, aside from two very presentable openings inside the opening five minutes (both went over the bar), there wasn't much to worry us unduly.

Second half it was a different story - and not just the weather, which thankfully abated so we were able to get the ball down and pass it, rather than lumping it as hard as we could into the gale. Super-sub and set-piece maestro Taundry stepped up and planted a free-kick straight on to the head of ZiDann with his first touch - 1-0. Nicholls cut inside his marker and fired an angled shot into the corner 4 minutes later - 2-0. After that we counter-attacked with quality, pace and vigour meaning that we were always the more likely scorers. Nicholls missed a couple of chances for a deserved second, while Brittain, Bradley and Deeney also had efforts.

Those are the bare bones but the detail is so much richer than that. Every man in a blue/yellow jersey deserves a huge pat on the back for their endeavours tonight - not just in facing near-impossible weather conditions but also in showing their genuine (Championship?) class after half-time. Part of me wants to leave it there, but I feel I should mention three individuals:
Nicholls/Deeney - not only are we moulding players who have genuine quality, but this pair also have hearts of lions. They never stopped all night and even though the end product isn't quite there yet, they are both on the path to greater things, I'm sure of it.
Fox - true professional. Never mind the off-field stuff, he got his head down and gave it his all. This was evidenced in the second half where he slid in to block a Yeovil effort from 12 yards that was destined for the net. If you're reading this Foxy - a word to the wise: SACK YOUR AGENT!!! The best place to be right now is at the centre of the Walsall Revolution, which you have helped to kick off. We are heading for the Championship, my friend, so won't you come and join the ride.

That's just a lovely post. Hold the front page!

Exy's right. It DOES feel like a special result What CAN'T this team achieve?

[Maverick]

I've thought for a while this season that there has scarcely been a time when I have been more proud of the team I support. I don't know if it is the long unbeaten run, my unshaken faith in the manager or the number of homegrown kids in the team. Probably all three, and many more reasons besides. And if this is a season to be proud then tonight marks the pinnacle.

Let me elaborate. During the first half we faced gale-force winds and torrential rain, meaning we had to - quite literally - weather the storm from Yeovil. To give you an idea of the ferocity of the conditions, one of Clayton's goal-kicks went out for a corner. Unsurprisingly, we were camped in our own half and it was shots-in from Yeovil although, aside from two very presentable openings inside the opening five minutes (both went over the bar), there wasn't much to worry us unduly.

Second half it was a different story - and not just the weather, which thankfully abated so we were able to get the ball down and pass it, rather than lumping it as hard as we could into the gale. Super-sub and set-piece maestro Taundry stepped up and planted a free-kick straight on to the head of ZiDann with his first touch - 1-0. Nicholls cut inside his marker and fired an angled shot into the corner 4 minutes later - 2-0. After that we counter-attacked with quality, pace and vigour meaning that we were always the more likely scorers. Nicholls missed a couple of chances for a deserved second, while Brittain, Bradley and Deeney also had efforts.

Those are the bare bones but the detail is so much richer than that. Every man in a blue/yellow jersey deserves a huge pat on the back for their endeavours tonight - not just in facing near-impossible weather conditions but also in showing their genuine (Championship?) class after half-time. Part of me wants to leave it there, but I feel I should mention three individuals:
Nicholls/Deeney - not only are we moulding players who have genuine quality, but this pair also have hearts of lions. They never stopped all night and even though the end product isn't quite there yet, they are both on the path to greater things, I'm sure of it.
Fox - true professional. Never mind the off-field stuff, he got his head down and gave it his all. This was evidenced in the second half where he slid in to block a Yeovil effort from 12 yards that was destined for the net. If you're reading this Foxy - a word to the wise: SACK YOUR AGENT!!! The best place to be right now is at the centre of the Walsall Revolution, which you have helped to kick off. We are heading for the Championship, my friend, so won't you come and join the ride.

Great post.

Proud to be a Saddler.

[Neil Ravenscroft]

I've thought for a while this season that there has scarcely been a time when I have been more proud of the team I support. I don't know if it is the long unbeaten run, my unshaken faith in the manager or the number of homegrown kids in the team. Probably all three, and many more reasons besides. And if this is a season to be proud then tonight marks the pinnacle.

Let me elaborate. During the first half we faced gale-force winds and torrential rain, meaning we had to - quite literally - weather the storm from Yeovil. To give you an idea of the ferocity of the conditions, one of Clayton's goal-kicks went out for a corner. Unsurprisingly, we were camped in our own half and it was shots-in from Yeovil although, aside from two very presentable openings inside the opening five minutes (both went over the bar), there wasn't much to worry us unduly.

Second half it was a different story - and not just the weather, which thankfully abated so we were able to get the ball down and pass it, rather than lumping it as hard as we could into the gale. Super-sub and set-piece maestro Taundry stepped up and planted a free-kick straight on to the head of ZiDann with his first touch - 1-0. Nicholls cut inside his marker and fired an angled shot into the corner 4 minutes later - 2-0. After that we counter-attacked with quality, pace and vigour meaning that we were always the more likely scorers. Nicholls missed a couple of chances for a deserved second, while Brittain, Bradley and Deeney also had efforts.

Those are the bare bones but the detail is so much richer than that. Every man in a blue/yellow jersey deserves a huge pat on the back for their endeavours tonight - not just in facing near-impossible weather conditions but also in showing their genuine (Championship?) class after half-time. Part of me wants to leave it there, but I feel I should mention three individuals:
Nicholls/Deeney - not only are we moulding players who have genuine quality, but this pair also have hearts of lions. They never stopped all night and even though the end product isn't quite there yet, they are both on the path to greater things, I'm sure of it.
Fox - true professional. Never mind the off-field stuff, he got his head down and gave it his all. This was evidenced in the second half where he slid in to block a Yeovil effort from 12 yards that was destined for the net. If you're reading this Foxy - a word to the wise: SACK YOUR AGENT!!! The best place to be right now is at the centre of the Walsall Revolution, which you have helped to kick off. We are heading for the Championship, my friend, so won't you come and join the ride.

That's just a lovely post. Hold the front page!

Exy's right. It DOES feel like a special result What CAN'T this team achieve?

That's where it is. Like I said before, write anything that well and it'll go there!

http://upthesaddlers.com/wp/archives/20 ... s-walsall/

[WfcDanOc]

As soon as the full time whistle went I was especially in awe of this result. It was achieved in some second half style without the "old" heads that are supposed to be required next to those "pesky" kids we keep fielding, who seem to have forgot that losing sometimes happens in football!

The attitude at the moment is spot on, the never say die spirit is a credit to the team and the players! UTS!

[sid swifty]

Brilliant result....even if it all ends here and we finish halfway (dont think it will though :wink: )...just imagine what potential some of these players have after a season of growing up.... :D

[Mal]

I have been reminiscing over what was the best side I have watched over the years and I always come back to the 83 team with mini, shakey, childs etc but having taken off my nostalgic rose tinted raybans ! I think this crop of youngsters is the best since those heady Milk Cup days if not better.

There is a real graydonesque feel about this season in that no one expects anythng yet we have proved everyone wrong including me and are positioned to really push for promotion. Remember Man City, Fulham etc thought the same so how is that different, just replace with Leeds & Forest.

I am chuffed to bits with Alex Nicholls as I thoght he was finished and having had a run in the team has rammed that back down my throat, watch the goals fly in now. Deeney is a lion and plays with real heart, passion and skill, something which is missing in our 'beloved' Premiership. The Scousers have adjusted and must be up there with or as the best defensive unit in League 1 plus in Weston we have the best right back in the league.

Wracky is on viagra as he is up for it and playing his best football since 99 and the 'old' boys of Ricketts and Mooney add that touch of class and nouse needed to get something from nothing. Bradley is growing and starting to stamp his class on games, I think he just needs a little more protection.

Mr Money you are doing a great job just smile a little more and special mention to Jimmy Mullen and Mick Halsall who have palyed a massive part in teh records being broken.

This is my first post in months and last night tipped the balance for me, we can and will get promoted. Just a couple of signings to add depth to the squad, loans will do and we can look forward to Chamionship footie.

[Duke]

can anyone recall what DD said during the close season,
" Fans think Scott Dann is special , believe me there's more to come you've seen nothing yet "

[Denmark Hill Saddler]

We should cherish times like this - they come all too rarely, especially in the life of a Walsall fan (!)

Take whichever indicator you like - the quality of our kids coming through, our heart and self-belief on occasions like Yeovil last night, or the excellent management (by far the best in the 20+ years that I've been supporting Walsall),

As we move forward, there will be downs as well as ups - but the key will be to keep our sense of perspective, and focus on the quality of these assets. We are on an upward curve!

After Merson, we could quite easily have gone into freefall. Money & Co have turned it around in no time at all, and have made the Saddlers a force to be reckoned with and a team to be proud of.

I'm a happy man.

[Duke]

Yeovil boss can't believe it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 178800.stm



:lol:

[Duke]

17 games unbeaten , i had the Oldham result as the result of the season this beats that , fantastic stuff.

UP THE SUPER SADDLERS

Quote DD on WM . I Don't like to single out individual players but Troy Deeney came of age tonight , he also spoke very highly of the performance of Danny Fox.

Quite right, Duke. DD was very complimentary about the performance of Deeney, describing him as "coming of age tonight".

Mind you, you never win anything with kids :wink:

http://www.saddlers.premiumtv.co.uk/pag ... l#continue

[WFC_Rob]

The excitement of this season comes from the fact that this side proves me wrong time and time again. There was no way we were going to get a result last night in my mind before the game. One step too far for the youngsters in the team was what I thought. Not enough experience to be able to go to Huish park on a dire Tuedsday night to even get a point. How wrong I was! I shoukd have known better than to doubt them really - I thought the same before the Oldham game.

I have to admit, there have been times this season when I've wondered if the younger players such as Deeney and Bradley are really as good as people talk them up as being. With the experience of Mooney, Wrack & Ricketts around them, I thought it was possible that they were helped out a lot by experience. Again, I've been proved wrong because after a whole-hearted performance on Saturday, we've done it again with so little experience on the pitch. As Money said on the radio a couple of weeks back, the young players have it in their minds now exactly what's expected of them in terms of shape and discipline as much as anything. I dread to think how these youngsters would be coping if Merson was still in charge.

Sounds like Nicholls played really well and appears to be improving with every game. I had and still have doubts over him being a hit here but am as happy as anyone for him to keep proving me wrong.

[aaaae]

Average age of the outfield players last night - 23.4 and there was a short spell when Taundry replace Ricketts where it was 22.3!

[WFC_Rob]

Yeovil boss can't believe it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 178800.stm



:lol:

:lol:

I love it when managers come out and say things like that. He sadly doesn't acknowledge the fact that they weren't good enough to take any of their (12) chances.

[King Crimson]

Yeovil boss can't believe it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 178800.stm



:lol:

:lol:

I love it when managers come out and say things like that. He sadly doesn't acknowledge the fact that they weren't good enough to take any of their (12) chances.

Its what we got time and again last season too - Accrington, Macclesfield etc etc...where teams were persistently 'robbed' by us or were 'unlucky'. Look what happened by May. :D

[WarsawPact]

Here's a more complete quote from Western Daily Press:

Slade said: "I just thought the result was ridiculous to be honest. I counted five opportunities in the first five minutes and 13 in all in the first period when they probably had one half-chance.
"We are bitterly disappointed. Yes, you have to take your chances and you have to be ruthless. It is a harsh lesson. They got the goal, and that is something to hang on to, and they hit us on the break for the second.

"I didn't think they coped with us. You can forget the conditions because we got the ball down and played and they were lashing it out. They had nothing apart from being strong at the back and keeping the ball out the net.
"Fortune favoured them. But I don't want to be labelled a team that if things don't go right on the day we get beaten. We have to show another side and come out nice and strong."

Slade felt the first goal, glanced in by centre-half Dann was a turning point.
"I was disappointed with the defending," he said. "It was naive at best and at times possibly suicidal. People have got to do their marking jobs.
"For the first goal their centre-half was not picked up by my centre-half and he has got a good contact on the ball from a free-kick that I thought shouldn't have been given, so that was salt in the wounds."

I'm afraid I "went off on one" on Football Forums... :oops:

http://www.footballforums.net/forums/showthread.php?p=2897987#post2897987 and scroll up a bit

[Plastic Hawk]

Yeovil boss can't believe it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 178800.stm

:lol:

:lol:

I love it when managers come out and say things like that. He sadly doesn't acknowledge the fact that they weren't good enough to take any of their (12) chances.

Its what we got time and again last season too - Accrington, Macclesfield etc etc...where teams were persistently 'robbed' by us or were 'unlucky'. Look what happened by May. :D

Let's hope we hear it plenty more times this season too! If teams aren't good enough to score past us then they don't deserve to win the games. Whether or not they deserve a draw depends on whether they can match our defence and stop us scoring. Very often it seems that they can't.

You don't go on 17 match unbeaten runs through "lucky" results against teams who you "can't cope with". Maybe Slade should have considered the fact that we were unbeaten in 16 before the game - might have given him a clue that we weren't to be underestimated! In any event, as I mentioned somewhere else, we had 55% of the possession, so it's hardly as if they dominated the game.

[Duke]

DD proud and he thanks the fans :wink:

http://www.saddlers.premiumtv.co.uk/pag ... 13,00.html

love yow Dicky

[Kiansmom]

5 chanes in the first 5 minutes? what game was their manager watching?? unless you count the hoof it and hope the wind takes it in chances, none of which were even close

we came, we saw, we conquered, nothing more to add :mrgreen:

[belgiansaddler]

According to a local rag Yeovil had the advantage of the slight breeze early on :shock: :D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2007/08/20/yeovil_town_audio_archive_0708_feature.shtml

[Duke]

Chairman praise for fans.
http://www.saddlers.premiumtv.co.uk/pag ... 88,00.html

we'll have him waving at us next
:wink:

[aaaae]

According to a local rag Yeovil had the advantage of the slight breeze early on :shock: :D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2007/08/20/yeovil_town_audio_archive_0708_feature.shtml

Good god! I can't believe Slade's attitude in that interview. Talk about sour grapes!

[BathSaddler]

According to a local rag Yeovil had the advantage of the slight breeze early on :shock: :D

http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2007/08/20/yeovil_town_audio_archive_0708_feature.shtml

Good god! I can't believe Slade's attitude in that interview. Talk about sour grapes!

I must admit I have always respected Yeovil as a club, and their achievements in establishing themselves in League One - pretty much a 'natural home' for them now. I marvelled at their superb 5-2 Play Off Semi Final 2nd leg win at forest. And I recognise the good job that Russell Slade has done at the club since taking over from Gary Johnson.

However, I cannot believe his comments. Talk about a bad loser. Who does he think Yeovil are, Brazil? Totally unprofessional in my opinion, and only serves to demonstrate what a bad loser he is. He is more one eyed than that tweenie bloke at Leeds.