Scunthorpe United (H) League One 10th Jan, 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

After the Lord Mayor's show at Deepdale it's back to League action as we welcome the Iron, whose form has improved significantly since the appointment of Mark Robins as manager. Back in August when we lost the corresponding away fixture 2-1 it's fair to say that both teams were relegation fodder, but Scunthorpe are now only 4 points behind us, with 3 games in hand. Current form:

7 Dec Worcester City (H) Drew 1-1 (F.A. Cup 2nd round)
13 Dec Crewe Alexandra (H) Won 2-1
17 Dec Worcester City (A) Drew 1-1 (F.A. Cup replay, Scunthorpe won 14-13 on penalties)
20 Dec Bradford City (A) Drew 1-1
26 Dec Rochdale (H) Won 2-1
6 Jan Chesterfield (H) Drew 2-2 (F.A. Cup 3rd round)

Paddy Madden (No. 9) is Scunthorpe's leading goalscorer with 11, but as a whole they've conceded 36 goals this season which must give us some hope! Having said that, it should be noted that they haven't lost an away game in the League since September so they certainly won't be a pushover.

I hope for (and half-expect) 3 points from this one - despite what anyone says, players will have their minds on the possibilities of Wembley, and this prospect could act as a motivation to perform well enough to guarantee selection. I'll go for a 2-0 result, with goals from Bradshaw (of course) and a fully fit Jordan Cook.

[Andy_Petterson]

Like many fellow Saddlers I'll be looking forward to seeing my favorite opposition player Neil Bishop.

The way he continually fouled our players goaded our fans us after the final whistle at the away game really endeared him to me. Can't wait to show my appreciation on Saturday.

2-0 to us.

[paddy]

after the lord mayors show on Wednesday night. think we'll struggle to get up for this one

1-1 with bradshaw to continue his good run

3781 (411 from Scunthorpe)

[Sadders]

Not sure what to think on this, will go either way IMO. Smith should say to the players before kick off 'The next 3 league games, will be the games where I decide who plays in the 2nd leg and who ultimately could lead us to a big final at Wembley' and use that as an incentive to motivate all 11 players to keep at 110% - let's face it, how often do lower league footballers get to Wembley?

Once a career for some, if their lucky.

If that fails, I can see it going the opposite way where the players focus elsewhere and try not to get themselves injured. As you quite often here 'X big cup game affects league form' - our mate Clough was moaning about that the other day in the press. Be nice if we could get 4 points from Scunthorpe at home/Colceshter away, but with our recent record vs both teams near the bottom and Scunny/Col themselves - I won't be holding my breath!

1-1.
Forde for us.

Notice Scunny have done quite a bit so far Transfer wise this month, I reckon Robins will have them in comfy mid table by May.

[kshammer]

Oh yes. I'd forgot about the league...

2-0 to us. Bradshaw and Sawyers.

[Darth Vader]

1-0 Walsall

Handsome bradshaw

[Walsall_Casual]

Recent loan signings Tom Hopper and Jacob Murphy are poised to make their Iron debuts tomorrow. Interestingly we almost signed Tom Hopper on loan earlier in the season.

[mosaddler]

should be a good encounter.
hopefully we will come out on the front foot as soon as the whistle blows rather than a slow start in the last two home games where we were slow and conceded an early goal.

welcome back to Ned and MR

http://www.Scunthorpe.co.uk/news ... 91071.aspx

going for a 2-1 home win

forde and cook

[SoccerHQ]

Scunny have been a bogey team for Walsall in recent years.

Can see the league form going to pot with the JPT distraction especially as it's a winnable run of games and Scunny have massively picked up under Mark Robins.

1-2 them.

[BathSaddler]

A 1-1 draw, with Sawyers for us, in front of 3,736, including 295 away.

[WarsawPact]

Welcome back Ned. MR can flip right off.

If our current home sequence continues, we'll lose by 1 goal.

[bangsection]

Our record against bottom half teams means we'll almost certainly lose.

Our record against teams on big unbeaten runs means we'll almost certainly win.

Therefore it will almost certainly be a draw. Bradshaw will almost certainly score.

[gerryhatrick]

Our record against bottom half teams means we'll almost certainly lose.

Our record against teams on big unbeaten runs means we'll almost certainly win.

Therefore it will almost certainly be a draw. Bradshaw will almost certainly score.

Not of Irish descent, are you, Bangy?

[Exile]

About time we beat S****horpe. Also M**k R****s. (I know)

Squeaky 1-0 us.

[bangsection]

Our record against bottom half teams means we'll almost certainly lose.

Our record against teams on big unbeaten runs means we'll almost certainly win.

Therefore it will almost certainly be a draw. Bradshaw will almost certainly score.

Not of Irish descent, are you, Bangy?

No Irish blood. But I did want David Kelly to be my dad when I was a kid. Not that he's Irish either.

[gerryhatrick]

Same team and bench.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Starting line-up against Scunthorpe United:

O'Donnell

O'Connor
Downing
Chambers
Taylor

Forde
Cain
Chambers
Cooke

Sawyers
Bradshaw

Substitutes: MacGillivray, Purkiss, Baxendale, Benning, Grimes, Manset, Flanagan.

[Registered Saddler]

The club has just tweeted that we will be presented with a Respect and Fair Play award by Greg Dyke today. Remember that this is the man who would rather we were playing Sunderland B and forced to be a feeder club for Aston Villa rather than renewing rivals with Scunthorpe and trying to close in on the playoffs. Please can everyone show him an appropriate amount of "respect".

[Welsh_Saddler]

Sky bet odds at kick-off.....

Walsall win odds-on at 4/5

The draw 5/2

Scunthorpe to win 3/1

[Welsh_Saddler]

Elsewhere, Bristol City 1 Notts County 0 (7 min)

.... and Bradford 0 Rochdale 1 (12 min)... Bradford down to 10 men, Pickford red card.

...and Crawley 1 MK Dons 0 (McLeod, pen)

...and Chesterfield 1 Port Vale 0

...at Bescot, Boyce (Scunthorpe) yellow card 11 min after fouling Bradshaw.

[Welsh_Saddler]

0-1 down.............. :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: Chambers o.g.

....and Oldham 1 Doncaster Rovers 0 (Ibehre!!)

Crewe Alex 2 Gillingham 0

Yeovil down to 10 men at Barnsley

[Guest]

How can they be 1-0 up? They've had 0 shots.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Hoe can they be 1-0 up? They've had 0 shots.

I guess an own goal doesn't count as a shot by the attacking side. (James Chambers)

It's going pear-shaped..... Andy Taylor booked.
Adam Chambers booked as well !!! :(

[Guest]

The home jinx continues.

[Guest]

They've also had 2 shots now - both by Hopper.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Would you believe 0-2 ?????????? :( :( :( :( :( :(

[gerryhatrick]

A. Chambers fifth card. Does he miss a game?

[Welsh_Saddler]

A Walsall win is now 10/1 if you're feeling frivolous......

Can we play the second leg match against Preston at Deepdale please????

[Zaddler]

Back to earth with a bump...................wouldn't be Walsall if they didnt knock you straight back to earth after giving you a lift

[Guest]

Doesn't bode well for the JPT second leg...