After the thrills and spills of the two mouthwatering home
games this week against Leeds United and Leicester City
its back to the run of the mill opponents in the shape of
Hartlepool United this Saturday at Victoria Park, weather
permitting of course, but our hosts are doing everything they
can to ensure that this clash against the two clubs slogging
it out in mid-table goes ahead.
Just as we witnessed at Bescot this week, covers have been
on the pitch up there for several days to keep the effects of
the sub-zero temperatures at bay.Light snow has fallen in
the north east the last couple of days and the priority
is to try and get rid of the snow before it melts.
Head Groundsman Dave Brown is very confident that the
game will go ahead.He is taking no chances and has a great
record over the last five years of protecting his hallowed turf-
there hasn't been a first team postponement at Victoria Park
under his wing since January 2004.Let's hope this record
continues for one more game, at least!
The ground has changed since my only visit there back in
1992 and I am looking forward to seeing the changes that
have been made.There's not much between the two teams
this season.Both promised so much at the start of the season
and yet have failed to live up to expectations.Hartlepool have
of course done better in the cup competitions than The Saddlers
especially in the FA Cup.Their home record is pretty good-just
three league defeats.If they had converted some of their drawn
games into victories they would have been pushing for a play
off spot.
Walsall have their usual injured suspects on the treatment
table for this game-Roberts and Hughes have no chance- but
reports suggest Ricketts isn't too far away but is unlikely to
be risked.Maybe this is the game to introduce on-loan Sam
Williams from the start.
I hear that the Jackson Wharf Pub at the Marina welcomes
away fans and has a host of real ales so I guess that's where
I will end up before the game.Three pints will do me in there