Walsall vs Swindon Town

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Pre Match Report - Carabao Cup First Round

Following a difficult start to the season, Swindon Town face Walsall in what is a break in the league

action as the two clubs face each other in the League Cup.

Saturdays 0-0 draw with Salford City had some positives with the second half performance being

especially impressive following McKirdy’s red card. Scott Lindsey applauded his sides 2nd half

performances highlighting Brynn and Darcy for their efforts. But the lack of goals and again the lack

of discipline amongst some in the squad will continue to frustrate Scott Lindsey.

The cup competitions give an opportunity for rotation and rest as games come thick and fast in the

league. Opportunities for Ward, Clayton and Darbe might become available on Tuesday.

Walsall come into this game top of League Two scoring 5 goals and with two clean sheets. It was an

own goal that was needed to get past Newport County on Saturday whilst Defender Taylor Allen got

sent off for the Saddlers, but it was a win nonetheless. But this is a team that can score goals, winning 4-0 on the opening day of the season.

Rotation is excepted as Mike Flynn’s men face Stevenage in game-week three but we might see an

old Swindon player in Andy Williams who played for Town between 2012-2015 feature on Tuesday

night against Walsall.

Tactically, Walsall will look to play a 3-4-1-2 formation. An attacking style of play with striker Danny

Johnson being the main target man, he scored a hat trick on the opening day. Walsall are very patient with their play and happy to let the opposition have the ball, they’ve only average 43% possessions in their first two games despite winning both.

I think we’ll see Walsall try and catch Swindon on the counter attack, the full backs will provide a lot

of pace for Walsall and with the way Walsall don’t mind sitting back don’t be surprised to see balls

trying to be played over the top towards their strikers. Walsall would have seen leaks in Town’s

defence especially in the Harrogate game and will look to exploit them.

For Swindon to win this game, first they have to get over the hurdle of scoring a goal, in their opening

league games they’ve only managed three shots on target so perhaps it’s no surprise we’re still

waiting for that goal. But I’d also be concerned about the lack of passes Town are putting together -

on Saturday against Salford City only completed 67% of the 247 passes attempted by Town where

accurate whereas Salford had a pass completion rate of 87% and attempted 301 more passes. This

would indicate a lack of rhythm and/or composure on the ball, something Swindon need to look to

find again.

Prediction

Personally I think this will be a fairly comfortable night for Walsall. Following their very strong start

to the season. Walsall looked to be in a rhythm that Swindon are struggling to find. But I do think

Swindon will get their first goal of the season and it’s vital they do so, the last thing this side needs is

a run of goalless games.

Of course hoping to be wrong but I don’t think Swindon will be in the hat for Round Two Draw and

heading to Wembley Stadium just yet.

Prediction: Swindon Town 1 - 2 Walsall

Potential Starting XI:

Ward, Hutton, Harries, Clayton, Baudry, Shade, Darcy, Darbe, Aguiar, Adeloye, Parsons