Peterborough United (A) Tue 27th Feb, 7.45pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

"Port Out, Starboard Home"

Folk etymology (dubious)

As if we didn't have enough problems, Walsall now have to face a team with "New Manager" syndrome (or Caretaker manager, which probably amounts to the same thing). Following a run of 7 matches without a win former captain Grant McCann has been shown the door, leaving David Oldfield holding the baby until Darragh MacAnthony and/or Barry Fry decide what happens next. Having got off to a flying start this season (McCann was League One Manager of the month in August) things have rather fallen apart, as their current form shows:-

20 Jan Oldham Athletic (H) Won 3-0
3 Feb Southend United (H) Lost 0-1
10 Feb Gillingham (A) Drew 1-1
13 Feb Scunthorpe United (H) Drew 2-2
18 Feb Blackpool (A) Drew 1-1
24 Feb AFC Wimbledon (H) Drew 1-1

(There were a couple of other defeats (FA Cup and EFL Trophy) in that time frame, which explains the "7 matches without a win" statement)

One Saddler who might be able to raise his personal performance for this one will be Erhun Oztumer, signed when his contract at Peterborough United expired. Interestingly, the Turkish Messi's statistics reveal that in 50 League games for Peterborough he scored 7 goals, but in 68 Walsall appearances he has managed to score 26 times. We must be doing something right........

Our second half showing against Blackburn Rovers has no doubt been analysed in depth by Jon Whitney and his management team, and it would seem that Julien Ngoy could have staked a claim to 90 minutes for this one (if fit). Fitness also plays a part elsewhere - will this fixture be too soon for Joe Edwards, and just how fit is Florent Cuvelier? (If he isn't 100% fit, what is he doing on the bench in the first place?). Would it also be prudent to select Kory Roberts at left back - it was noticeable that Blackburn Rovers had acres (all right, hectares) of space when they attacked....we shall see.

Prediction? Very dodgy in light of Posh's managerial upheaval ..... their whole team could be rejuvenated or demoralised, no-one can tell. However, if we can reproduce our second half form shown against Blackburn Rovers then a 0-2 away win is there for the taking, Ngoy and Oztumer to score.

UTS :D

[sirrammell]

Considering the weather forecast, is there a good chance this game will be postponed? I planned to head up (from London) but don't fancy getting stuck in Peterborough for the night.

[SoccerHQ]

Just seen Posh have sacked Grant McCann.

Surprised as they're not that far off the top 6 are they?

I'd say hope the game is on as playing them when they're in a state of confusion under a caretaker will surely be better than in a few weeks when they're in a good run under their new manager.

Anyway Walsall never seem to lose to Posh anyway, is it ten games unbeaten v them in the league? Always seems a lucky fixture to me.

[Welsh_Saddler]

[quote="SoccerHQ"[b]]Just seen Posh have sacked Grant McCann.[/b]

Surprised as they're not that far off the top 6 are they?

I'd say hope the game is on as playing them when they're in a state of confusion under a caretaker will surely be better than in a few weeks when they're in a good run under their new manager.

Anyway Walsall never seem to lose to Posh anyway, is it ten games unbeaten v them in the league? Always seems a lucky fixture to me.[/quote]

...... on the match preview, I would hope! :wink:

[SoccerHQ]

:lol: Sorry Welsh I started reading from Posh's last five results.

[tinned]

As if we didn't have enough problems, Walsall now have to face a team with "New Manager" syndrome

Should be okay if the new manager is Whitless :mrgreen:

[swampysaddler]

Just being across the county border in Norfolk the weather forecast is not optimistic.
Had snow overnight and more is forecast and it is a bit nippy round these areas.

[saddla]

Just being across the county border in Norfolk the weather forecast is not optimistic.
Had snow overnight and more is forecast and it is a bit nippy round these areas.

I live about 20 mins away from the ground and we've had a couple of flurries but nothing has settled. YET.

[The Red Prince]

Forecast to be -3 there tomorrow, can't see the pitch being playable.

[saddla]

From the Peterborough official twitter account:

Peterborough United
‏Verified account @theposhofficial
7m7 minutes ago

INFORMATION | At the moment the pitch is playable for tonight's @SkyBetLeagueOne fixture with @WFCOfficial but it will be monitored throughout the day. We will keep supporters informed of any updates. #pufc

[hullsaddler]

From the Peterborough official twitter account:

Peterborough United
‏Verified account @theposhofficial
7m7 minutes ago

INFORMATION | At the moment the pitch is playable for tonight's @SkyBetLeagueOne fixture with @WFCOfficial but it will be monitored throughout the day. We will keep supporters informed of any updates. #pufc

Met Office currently predicting 80% chance of heavy snow at 8pm with a temperature of -3 degrees but feeling like -7 !

[saddla]

From the Peterborough official twitter account:

Peterborough United
‏Verified account @theposhofficial
7m7 minutes ago

INFORMATION | At the moment the pitch is playable for tonight's @SkyBetLeagueOne fixture with @WFCOfficial but it will be monitored throughout the day. We will keep supporters informed of any updates. #pufc

Met Office currently predicting 80% chance of heavy snow at 8pm with a temperature of -3 degrees but feeling like -7 !

The BBC says Peterborough has a 34% chance of light snow showers with a temperature of -3 with a 5 degree windchill.
On the met office website I can't see anything about blizzards at London Rd (or the Abax or whatever they are calling it now)
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcrg490gw#?date=2018-02-27

[SoccerHQ]

Looking at the weather in Colchester atm think Southend would be doubtful to go ahead on Saturday.

[hullsaddler]

From the Peterborough official twitter account:

Peterborough United
‏Verified account @theposhofficial
7m7 minutes ago

INFORMATION | At the moment the pitch is playable for tonight's @SkyBetLeagueOne fixture with @WFCOfficial but it will be monitored throughout the day. We will keep supporters informed of any updates. #pufc

Met Office currently predicting 80% chance of heavy snow at 8pm with a temperature of -3 degrees but feeling like -7 !

The BBC says Peterborough has a 34% chance of light snow showers with a temperature of -3 with a 5 degree windchill.
On the met office website I can't see anything about blizzards at London Rd (or the Abax or whatever they are calling it now)
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcrg490gw#?date=2018-02-27

Above link still showing heavy snow at 8pm but not at 9pm & 10 pm as well as it was earlier. Probably be a balmy 21 degrees in forecast later!

[saddla]

It's just started snowing here now BIG flakes (not that powder stuff). I'm 20 mins from the posh ground.
It's not sticking YET.

Update: We had a five minute blizzard about 1:45pm settled on the ground but now it's stopped and is melting in the sunshine (weird weather)

[chunkster]

It's just started snowing here now BIG flakes (not that powder stuff). I'm 20 mins from the posh ground.
It's not sticking YET.

Update: We had a five minute blizzard about 1:45pm settled on the ground but now it's stopped and is melting in the sunshine (weird weather)

BIG SNOWFLAKES? Sounds like you are describing some of the members on here :lol:

[Welsh_Saddler]

One hour to kick-off, and the game seems to be on. Bristol Rovers v Wigan Athletic has been postponed though - frozen pitch.

[chunkster]

One hour to kick-off, and the game seems to be on. Bristol Rovers v Wigan Athletic has been postponed though - frozen pitch.

so has the shrews match

[swampysaddler]

It keeps stopping and starting to snow (I am about 40 minutes from Peterborough).
It is bloody freezing though.

[Walsallone]

Ngoy for Shaibu and Kouyhar for Edwards the changes from Saturday. Baka. back on the bench.

[swampysaddler]

Roberts
Devlin
Fitzwater
Guthrie
Leahy
Chambers
Dobson
Morris
Maz
Ozzy
Ngoy.

Subs.
Gillespie
Roberts
Kinsella
Flo
Flanagan
Maz AGAIN !!!!
Shaibu

Off the clubs Twitter feed.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Roberts
Devlin
Fitzwater
Guthrie
Leahy
Chambers
Dobson
Morris
Maz
Ozzy
Ngoy.

Subs.
Gillespie
Roberts
Kinsella
Flo
Flanagan
Maz AGAIN !!!!
Shaibu

Off the clubs Twitter feed.

For "Maz AGAIN" read Bakayoko :D

Caretaker manager David Oldfield makes 6 changes from the team that started last Saturday's game .........

[Ancient Moaner]

Roberts
Devlin
Fitzwater
Guthrie
Leahy
Chambers
Dobson
Morris
Maz
Ozzy
Ngoy.

Subs.
Gillespie
Roberts
Kinsella
Flo
Flanagan
Maz AGAIN !!!!
Shaibu

Off the clubs Twitter feed.

For "Maz AGAIN" read Bakayoko :D

Caretaker manager David Oldfield makes 6 changes from the team that started last Saturday's game .........

And I bet the ditched players are thinking 'thank god for that', -8/9 deg with wind chill, in shirts and shorts...no thanks pal!

[SoccerHQ]

N'goy deserves his start after his cameo on Saturday.

Maz was lively but needs to lift his head when dribbling as he'd realise sometimes there's other players making runs and in better positions.

He wasted some promising chances on Saturday by needlessly running into defenders.

Still looks quite an attacking team on paper so with Posh hopefully in a bit of a malaise without a manager can continue the great unbeaten run against them. Think last league defeat to them was in January 2011.

[Welsh_Saddler]

9 minutes is all it took...... Peterborough Utd 0 Walsall 1 :D :D :D :D

A minute later - Walsall yellow card ! Peterborough Utd penalty ............. MISSED !!!!!!

[chunkster]

Ngoy :D

[SoccerHQ]

N'goy! :D

(cue him being benched for the next 10 games when Bakayoko is fully fit).

Uh-oh....penalty to Posh.

[shrewsbury saddler]

Penalty P'boro.

[SoccerHQ]

ROBERTS SAVES PENALTY.

[chunkster]

And a penalty save :D