19/7/08 - Rushall Olympic (a)

[PerStener]

A squad likely to consist of second-year youth teamers, young professionals and trialists will play vs. Rushall Olympic on Saturday July 19th.

kick-off 3.00pm

Admission prices at Dales Lane will be £4 (adults) and £2 (concessions).

[Pedro]

A very local game for me

5-1 Saddlers

Evo to fall in canal

[Ned_Kelly]

A very local game for me

5-1 Saddlers

Evo to fall in canal

That's gonna be one hell of a stumble considering the cut is about 30yds from the pitch :mrgreen:

[Willy Nilly]

A very local game for me

5-1 Saddlers

Evo to fall in canal

That's gonna be one hell of a stumble considering the cut is about 30yds from the pitch :mrgreen:

He's most likely to get an 'assist' though, Ned. :D

[Ned_Kelly]

I'll wager he's pretty stable and not THAT easy to shift :wink: :D

[Pedro]

I'll wager he's pretty stable and not THAT easy to shift :wink: :D

Evo will go to the pub by the ground and fall in .... naked

[Ned_Kelly]

I'll wager he's pretty stable and not THAT easy to shift :wink: :D

Evo will go to the pub by the ground and fall in .... naked

The Royal Oak. Some very nice yga and lesbian people in there. They do great meals too

[latviancheese]

last season against rushall id been in the pub for hours beforehand, got really drunk, watched the match in a daze. TROY DEENEY not only managed to have a shot, but he scored :shock:

Then i had to walk home down the canal back to yew tree.

[Pedagogue]

Can I point out to all those talking about pre-match drinking that there is a perfectly good licensed bar at Rushall Olympic. Why not support one of our local non-league teams instead of putting money into the ample coffers of the big breweries?

[Pedro]

Agree there Bob, great bunch of people at Rushall , I'll be there tomorrow

[tape66]

Not sure if I can attend, typical as it is so close.
4-1 to the Saddlers
Paul Merson to get the beers in.

[Ned_Kelly]

Can I point out to all those talking about pre-match drinking that there is a perfectly good licensed bar at Rushall Olympic. Why not support one of our local non-league teams instead of putting money into the ample coffers of the big breweries?

Maybe, that like most of our visits, the bar is acked anyway and can't serve fast enough as it is. So the one's that head over the Oak, don't really harm the takings.
Both bars serve a decent pint though. If you want to stray a little further, try the Manor Arms, the only pub with no bar :D

[kevin]

If you want to stray a little further, try the Manor Arms, the only pub with no bar :D

No riff raff please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[F2G Wilson]

How did we get on today any trialists play?

[Pedagogue]

Rushall Olympic 5 0 Walsall

The Saddlers paid the price of sending a squad consisting entirely of teenagers to play an experienced team from the Northern Premier League. Now I'm sure that Walsall intended no slight or insult to Rushall but the latter ARE Walsall's top non-league side (sorry, Willenhall! :D ). While a kids' team was good enough (just) to take on Bloxwich United, who had just been promoted to the Premier Division of the West Midlands (Regional) League, they were brought down to earth with a bump, this afternoon.

The young Saddlers had at least as much possession as the Pics but they rarely troubled the home side who now face Birmingham City on Wednesday, at Dales Lane, k.o. 7-45 p.m.

Walsall Squad:- Cox, Westlake, Nicholas, Schwarz, Bacchus, Petter, Charlton Davies (Capt.), Adkins, Milan, Geddes, Harris, Gregg, Moon, Travis, Cartwright, Lowe.
Three junior professionals (Bacchus, Davies and Harris), one "triallist" (of sorts) in Schwarz and twelve first and second year apprentices.

Goalscorers:- Dave Haywood (3rd min.), Nathan Lamey (71st min.), Richard Beale (80th min.), Paul Szewczyk (88th min.) and Todd Perry (stoppage time).

[King Crimson]

Cheers for that Pedagogue. Not really sure what WFC gain from a fixture like that by sending out a team like that. :?

[Brum]

Cheers for that Pedagogue. Not really sure what WFC gain from a fixture like that by sending out a team like that. :?

a) The youngsters get a run out, gain some match practice.
b) Jimmy Mullen gets to see more of his players in match action, in a more competitive game than many reserve games will be.
c) The club keep up relations with non league teams in the borough (must admit, that didn't help with regards to Zat Knight)
d) The resounding result will remind the youngsters they have a lot to learn, which I think some youngsters at professional clubs need reminding of.

[King Crimson]

I agree with some of that, but surely there's only a couple of players in serious contention of a first team place next season (I hope so, if they can't deliver against Rushall) so does Mullen really need to take a look at some of these lads in this sort of game (as above, say, a competitive reserve fixture). For every 'kick up the bum' players may get from being drubbed pre-season, there's a loss of confidence, especially with kids. Not convinced, but certainly I agree with parts of what you say, Brum.

[Pedagogue]

a) The youngsters get a run out, gain some match practice.
b) Jimmy Mullen gets to see more of his players in match action, in a more competitive game than many reserve games will be.
c) The club keep up relations with non league teams in the borough (must admit, that didn't help with regards to Zat Knight)
d) The resounding result will remind the youngsters they have a lot to learn, which I think some youngsters at professional clubs need reminding of.

Well that would be the case if Mullen were there - which he wasn't - neither was John Schofield, nor Eric McManus. WFC were represented by Mick Halsall, Bill Jones and Sun Tan Man.

I think that these games ARE of value. However, I think that WFC should give a little more thought to the make-up of their squads, in future.

[walsallforprem]

I can say that i did attend the game and i thought the football was fairly decent and it gave the youngsters time to show what they can do. The only players that looked any good at all were the RB Westlake, Hassan Bacchus looked decent coming forward with tricks and skills but defensively him with the two CBs were woeful at times. The number 11 whoever that was looked good and sean geddes looked very promising. He looked like he was playing above the level of that football.

I thought the performance was alright, we had loads of possesion but just never looked like scoring. Rushall finished there chances and the game was pretty much conceeded with the youngsters heads sinking in the last 10-15 mins.

[Exile]

I hope the club have apologised for underestimating their opposition and sending the team they did. Hard to see what we had to gain from treating the fixture the way we did. Obviously the abundant trialists we've seen 45 minutes of have done enough to prove their worth or otherwise, hence only Schwarz in that category, but obviously our first teamers are either still regaining match fitness or not yet signed; either way too valuable to risk.

[retired]

I am unable to go to games as I have had an accident and will be out for about two months so thanks Pedantogue for anay match reports.


How did our three junior pros play and do you think any of them may be able to come through.

[Evo Boozy Saddler]

Fine afternoon. Despite the score, it was a thoroughly enjoyable day. Good to catch up with a few UTS-ers, and have a few beers.

No falling in the canal, as predicted so apologies for that, and even if I had, I doubt that I would have got as wet as I did at Rushall 2 years ago :) .

Can't give much of a match report, as I missed the first goal, due to us still being in the pub, and I missed the fourth goal as me mates wife was showing me her white bra :D.

Joe as tucking into a very tasty looking burger, egg and bacon bap, which I was tempted by. but was scared off by the £3 price. That would have eaten in to the beer budget.

To everyone I saw yesterday, cheers for making it a good day. Tape your an absolute legend :D

[Ned_Kelly]

A very local game for me

5-1 Saddlers

Evo to fall in canal

Very close with that prediction Pedro............ Just the wrong way round :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Willy Nilly]

Can I point out to all those talking about pre-match drinking that there is a perfectly good licensed bar at Rushall Olympic. Why not support one of our local non-league teams instead of putting money into the ample coffers of the big breweries?

Ned Kelly and I did our bit, Mr. Pedagogue. hic. :? :mrgreen:

[aaaae]

Cheers for that Pedagogue. Not really sure what WFC gain from a fixture like that by sending out a team like that. :?

a) The youngsters get a run out, gain some match practice.
b) Jimmy Mullen gets to see more of his players in match action, in a more competitive game than many reserve games will be.
c) The club keep up relations with non league teams in the borough (must admit, that didn't help with regards to Zat Knight)
d) The resounding result will remind the youngsters they have a lot to learn, which I think some youngsters at professional clubs need reminding of.

But what is the point of pre-season games? If they are to give a bunch of teenagers a bit of match practice or improve relations with local non-league clubs then fair enough.

I thought pre-season friendlies were there to get the team in tip top shape ready for the first game of the season proper. To get teams sharp as a razor after their two month lay off. To get players who aren't used to playing together (new signings), comfortable playing together in a match situation.

Since Jimmy mullen wasn't even there, not a single one of these points above have any merit with regard to the (rapidly approaching) first match of the season.

[Brum]

Cheers for that Pedagogue. Not really sure what WFC gain from a fixture like that by sending out a team like that. :?

a) The youngsters get a run out, gain some match practice.
b) Jimmy Mullen gets to see more of his players in match action, in a more competitive game than many reserve games will be.
c) The club keep up relations with non league teams in the borough (must admit, that didn't help with regards to Zat Knight)
d) The resounding result will remind the youngsters they have a lot to learn, which I think some youngsters at professional clubs need reminding of.

But what is the point of pre-season games? If they are to give a bunch of teenagers a bit of match practice or improve relations with local non-league clubs then fair enough.

I thought pre-season friendlies were there to get the team in tip top shape ready for the first game of the season proper. To get teams sharp as a razor after their two month lay off. To get players who aren't used to playing together (new signings), comfortable playing together in a match situation.

Since Jimmy mullen wasn't even there, not a single one of these points above have any merit with regard to the (rapidly approaching) first match of the season.

The youngsters need a pre season too! They may only be playing youth team football next season but they're an important part of the club. That's why you'll see 'Walsall XI' or 'Manchester United XI' on the pre season fixture lists. All clubs send out youth teams to some fixtures to get the youngsters match practice.

[aaaae]

As I said - if they are to give a bunch of teenagers a bit of match practice then fair enough.

And looking at the bareness of the squad we could need two or three of them for first team duty.

[Kiansmom]

forgot to add Kian and I got into the ground and nice big hot dog each a drink and raffle tickets and only cost £10. Think we will definately be going again.

[tinned]

forgot to add Kian and I got into the ground and nice big hot dog each a drink and raffle tickets and only cost £10. Think we will definately be going again.

Compare that to the rob rogs at the Banks's where it would cost you £18 for you and your nipper JUST to get in the ground for a home friendly. That would be 54 quid if you were stupid enough to attend all 3 home friendlies, and that's before summat to eat and drink.

Somebody at the club wants a reality check (but most of us already knew that).