This time the fans might have it right!!

Since the start of the season Gerrard and Westwood have been the fans favoured centre back pairing, our manager however had played every other alternative combination barring Roper inclusions. Against Bournemouth THREE centre backs were due to play - Westwood, Bennett and Staunton. With the latter having a shocking 2nd half against Swansea where we conceeded 4 second half goals and 5 in total just 48 hours before. Staunton kept his place for the bank holiday fixture dispite being the second oldest player in the squad at 35! He was in the origional line up to face Bournemouth and despite Merson stating in the build up to the game that having 2 games in 3 days the squad would have to be utilised. Still no place however in the starting line up for a young 19 year old with young legs and proven at this level!! Surely he would of been a candidate for a player who could of played both!!!?

But lady luck shined down on Gaffer Merse as Staunton got injured in the Bournemouth warm up. This meant that Gerrard came into defence and despite having a fellow centre back sent off and having a centre midfielder playing left back the defence stood firm and a clean sheet was kept. The same back four that played between the sending off in the 38th min away to bournemouth to the 85th min before Roper came on, started the following home game again kept a clean sheet.

Up to and including the Crystal Palace and Swansea games the Walsall defence without Gerrard had been breached 15 times in only 6 games. Since Gerrards inclusion 0 goals conceeded in 2 games. Last seasons results also showed Walsall are a much more solid unit with Gerrard in the back line.

When Staunton regains fitness he must stay on the sidelines and help Gerrard and other youngsters develop their defensive games from being in the dug out and shouting instructions, by using the half time interval and from helping them in the training sessions. He has had a great playing career but he should now concentrate on his coaching career as well being a back up player to the squad rather than being a prominent first team member. Stan will bring alot to this club in defensive coaching role, i am in no doubt of this. He has been at the top level of football for 18 years, the experience he has to pass on to our kids could prove to the difference between mid table and promotion.

I am usually of the opinion that a football managers opinion on team selection and tactics is better than any fan who sits in the stand, because at the end of the day they see each  and every player, every day and their judgement must be respected. In Merson we have a manager that is a footballing genius and has achieved so much in football.  I have to accept his choices as who am i or us as football fans to question him, when we are no more than on lookers with only knowledge of what is wanted to be known.  We do not know the ins and outs of what happens within Walsall football club.  Even though some people like to think they do unless they are involved with the club on a proffesional capacity we ar all commentaters. 

However i do think Gerrards inclusion is a must. His performances and stats speak for themselves and warrant a starting place. This must hint towards alternative reasons but hopefully these have now been put to rest and Gerrard and Walsall FC can go on from stength to strength