Ahead of the League Cup trip to Walsall, we spoke to Kev from fan site Vital Walsall to find out a little more on how they have faired since the two teams last faced each other. We thank the guys for taking the time answering our questions and wish Walsall well for the rest of the season.
Q. Tell us a little about Vital Walsall?
Vital Walsall is part of the Vital Football Network. Vital Football started in 2005 to give supporters a platform to talk about their own clubs. Over the past few years a lot of individual sites have been formed by other supporters but Vital Football is still one of the biggest fan sites in the country. I started writing for Vital Walsall around two years ago. During that time we have increased our daily hits on site from around 4,000 to on average 16,000 which is such a great turnaround in such a short space of time.
Q. How was last season for you?
In a nutshell – frustrating! We started the season quite well and until Christmas the possibility of the play-offs were still on the agenda, however, our 2014 form has been shocking. Since the turn of the year we have won just THREE home games and have won just TWO in twenty-two games. So from a neutral you can understand why we ended up finishing mid-table last season and have found ourselves near the foot of League One early on this term.
Q. What are your hopes for this season?
To score more goals at home. Last season we scored 27 goals at home which was a club record low. We play attractive passing football which sees us dominate possession statistics but keeping the ball so much has stopped us from scoring. From a league perspective I hope we can finally reach those League One play-offs that we have been so close to the last two years. However, the start we have had is not ideal so maybe mid-table mediocrity for the third year running is more achieveable.
Q. Perhaps you could share your thoughts on Palace from an outsider looking in.
From when I was a kid, Palace were always in the Premier League. A big, vocal fan base and a club with a big history. Two years ago Palace finally got themselves back into the Premier League (where they belong) after a few tedious years in the Championship. However, the recent issues at Palace would worry me. Manager departs on the eve of the season and everyone linked with it have turned it down. Quite obvious from an outsider looking in that Parrish wants the new boss to work on next to nothing – that will only lead to one thing I am afraid for Palace fans.
Q. Which Walsall player should we look out for?
There are a few young ‘gems‘ that we are quite optimistic of making money on in a few years, we are after all a selling club. Liam Kinsella is an 18 year old right back, the son of Mark Kinsella the former Republic of Ireland international. He has only played two games for the club but looks like he has been there for years despite being out of position. Billy Clifford is a young midfielder, signed on a free from Chelsea during pre-season and has looked a class above. Tom Bradshaw is a striker signed from Shrewsbury in the summer and has scored twice in four games.
Q. Are there any Palace players that you are particularly concerned about?
I would like to list a few but will they play is the big question. I know in five of the last seven years Palace have gone out in the second round which is perhaps a lucky omen for us. However, there are a couple of players that do stand out. Julian Speroni has always been one of the most underrated goalkeepers. Scott Dann of course who is probably the best defender ever to have pulled on the Walsall shirt, talent was easy to spot from such a young age – ZiDann as he was known to us. Attacking wise I would say Dwight Gayle as he looked a handful when I saw him for Peterborough.
Q. Who is your favourite player to have represented Walsall?
Tough one as there have been so many over the past few years but I will have to say Jimmy Walker. He was our number one for most of my childhood and went on to play over 500 games for the Saddlers. He lacked height and was probably the only thing stopping him from playing for a top Premier League side but what he lacked in height he certainly made up for with his shot stopping. He finally got the chance to play in the Premier League with West Ham but was restricted to only a few games – but he did manage to save a Frank Lampard penalty.
Q. Which game do you consider the best you have seen involving Walsall?
Got to be against Reading in the play-off final. We were out numbered by Reading fans three to one, however, we out sang them the whole afternoon even when we were losing. The Walsall fans are one of the best in the country when we are on the road, at home we are too quiet. The game itself though had everything. Our keeper Jimmy Walker made a clanger early on, Tony Rougier for Reading scored one of the most bizarre own goals you will ever see and we scored two late goals in extra time to win 3-2 and go into Division One (Championship as it is now). I had a sore head the following morning.
Q. What is your best memory in your time supporting the club?
Our seasons under Sir Ray Graydon. Many will talk about the times when Merson and company played for us but for me it was the two promotions under Sir Ray. The folk of Walsall know we are not world beaters and are a small club compared to many, but all we ask of our team and players is to work hard and under Ray we always got that. He removed the ‘little Walsall’ tag as we competed (and beat) some of the best teams in Division One with a budget that most League Two sides probably surpass today. When we got promoted in his first season we came second, in front of the likes of Manchester City and Wigan Athletic.
Would just like to wish Palace the best of luck for the new season.
