Walsall Win, and Fitz blasts the Board.
By 4two
September 28 2002
Match Report Extra - Walsall 1-0 Owls. A Fitzroy Simpson goal was enough to see off the Owls, after an encouraging performance. But it's Fitzroy Simpson's blast at the board that will be remembered.
Walsall 1-0 Sheff Wed
Goals: Simpson 45' (Walsall)
Man of the Match: O'Connor (Walsall)
| Walsall Ratings | Walker 8, Bazeley 7, Aranalde 7, Hay 8, Roper 9, Wrack 7, O'Connor 9, Simpson, 8, Corica 8, Leitao 8, Zdrilic 6, Subs: Birch 7, Martinez 6, Wright 7. (Not Used Barras, Ward) |
| Walsall Form | Good |
| Sheff Wed | Pressman 5, Bromby 6 , Maddix 7 , Geary 8 , Burrows 7 , McLaren 6, Quinn 6, Armstrong 7, Hamshaw 7, Kuqi 7 , Owusu 6. Subs: Donnelly , Soltvedt , Stringer , Knight , Westwood |
| Sheff Wed Form | Average. |
Colin Lee opted to stick with the same side that beat Milwall 3-0 last week. It was the Owls who had the best of the opening minutes, pinning Walsall inside there own half. Wednesday started with Owusu and Kuqi upfront, two players who have great ability both on the ground and physically.
Kuqi showed his class in the opening minutes with a shot that Walker dealt with capably as the Wednesday midfield took a hold of the game. But Walsall soon came in to it with Wrack having an effort from long range as Walsall began to see more of the ball. The game never really got flowing thanks to a number of petty fouls and offsides, and neither side were able to impose themselves on the game.
On 25 minutes David Zdrilic had the best chance of the half, but his effort went over the bar, 5 minutes later Darren Wrack had his second chance of the game, but that amounted to nothing. Leitao did manage to rob the shaky Pressman at one stage during the first half but Walsall failed to capitalize on the "open goal" with the tame shot on goal being blocked by the Wednesday defenders.
The game remained rather scrappy up and till the stroke of half time when Fitzroy Simpson's effort from the edge of the flew in to the bottom left hand corner of the goal after a passage of play that had seen Walsall constantly trying to get behind and open up the Owls defence.
Half Time: Saddlers 1-0 Owls
The Owls came out and tried to take the game to Walsall in the second half, but again despite possession they failed to register any efforts on goal and it was Gary Birch (Replaced Zdrilic after 30 mins) who had the first effort on goal 10 minutes in to the half from about 25 yards, which was well over the crossbar.
Ironically despite the Owls being the ones in search for a goal in the second half it was Walsall who looked the most likely to increase there lead. Corica and Leitao all had decent chances, but it was Gary Birch who found himself with his back to goal on the edge of the six yard box who had the best opportunity to double Walsall lead but he dragged his shot past the far post.
Debutant Owusu and his strike partner both had half chances to equalize, while Leon Knight was denied by Jim Walker when after he had found space on the right flank. As the final whistle got closer, Walsall looked comfortable and were able to keep the ball in the Wednesday half, as Hay and Roper were able to deal with the threat of Owusu and Kuqi.
Full Time: Saddlers 1-0 Owls
Reflecting : This was just the resulted we needed. A steady performance, a clean sheet, a midfield that was able to control of the game, and lots of movement all over the field. Zigor and Wracks performances were encouraging, considering they have been the weakest links so far this season. Despite playing 4-4-2, we still lack width, Corica and Wrack are playing on the "wrong sides". Lee for some reason must like to see them cutting in rather than getting behind the defenders. Martin O'Connor has won our man of the match award today, despite admiral performances from Roper and the hard working Leitao. O'Connor has now found his feet and is every inch the midfield general we need. Fitz gave %100 again, and was constantly serenaded with chants of sign him up. More performances like this and we will be fine this season.
Match Report Extra : Simpson Blasts the Board.
Listening to Radio WM after the game, they interviewed Simpson. He made some very good points, and was very critical about our board.
This is a guy who is just trying to earn a living, putting in as much effort (if not more) than other players on the pitch. He is arguably one of the most effective members of our team, and pointed out that in the 16 games he has played in under Lee, we have only lost 1.
In his interview he said that playing for "free" isn't going to happen any more, and asked what they (The board) wanted. He seemed to believe (as most fans do) that the club were happy with the current situation and he made it quiet clear that he was sick of asking for a deal. Reading between the lines it also seems that Lee would like to offer Simmo the deal, but the board won't let him.
So far there are no deals on the table for Simmo (or so he says), but if he continues with these performances he is going to be gone in no time. Its disgraceful that this is being allowed to happen, but then again who is to blame. Lee has made signings, maybe the board made it clear to him that ounce that budget was gone he had to raise the rest. If so, Rodrigues for instance is a waste of a wage packet, unlike Simpson.
Simmo, every word you said was right, every Saddlers fan back you. Good Luck.
Match Report Extra - Walsall 1-0 Owls. A Fitzroy Simpson goal was enough to see of the Owls, after an encouraging performance. But it's Fitzroy Simpson's blast at the board that will be remembered.