5 reasons to be cheerful as Walsall fight for their lives
They have given themselves a giant mountain to climb. But Walsall fans will head to the Banks's Stadium tomorrow believing, hoping and praying their team can pull off an historic comeback in the League One play-offs.
Barnsley arrive 3-0 up from the first leg of the semi-final. The Saddlers have got a big task on their hands, but here Joseph Masi looks at five reasons why Jon Whitney's men can make it to Wembley.
1 They always bounce back
Only once in the 2015/16 campaign did Walsall lose back-to-back games. And when they did, they responded emphatically with a crucial win at Gillingham. But that wasn't the only time they stood up in the face of adversity. After Dean Smith left for Brentford, Whitney's men put in a stunning performance to secure a 3-1 victory at Shrewsbury. Then after the 4-0 loss at Bradford, they produced some of their best football of the season to beat Shrewsbury again, Fleetwood and Port Vale. When wounded, the Saddlers are a difficult lion to tame.
2 We know they can score goals
Before Barnsley, Walsall put three past Fleetwood and five past Port Vale. In fact, the Saddlers have scored three goals or more on nine occasions this season. With Tom Bradshaw, Romaine Sawyers, Milan Lalkovic, Anthony Forde and Kieron Morris, the squad is blessed attacking players. But they have to take their chances.
3. Barnsley have stated how they will play
Paul Heckingbottom admitted after the victory at Oakwell that Barnsley have only one way to play.
A 4-4-2 formation that relies on pressing and two wingers and two forwards causing havoc. If Walsall can pass through that press, they will create chances, especially when Barnsley's players begin tire.
4. It's not a Saturday
The day should not matter but Walsall's record when not playing on a Saturday this season is incredible. On a Saturday, the Saddlers have played 31, won 12, drawn nine and lost 10. But on the other days of the week, Walsall have played 16, won 12, drawn three and lost just once.
Whitney has also said he believes many of their best performance this season have come in night games.
5 Jon Whitney will have them fired up
If there is one thing for certain about Jon Whitney, it's that within minutes he could get a complete stranger to follow him into battle. The interim head coach has always said something special is going to happen this year. Being the first team to ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the play-offs would certainly tick that box.
