By 4two & Neil Ravenscroft
September 16 2002

Both sides have suffered a dip in league form and will be looking to set it straight on Tuesday evening. Former Walsall forward Darren Byfield has failed to score in his last 7 games, and is facing the wrath of the Rotherham faithful. But its all about the three points.

Walsall Vs Rotherham

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Venue : The Bescot Stadium, Walsall

Competition : Nationwide League Division 1.

Date & Time:  17.9.02 , 7:45pm

Ticket Availability:  Rotherham still have tickets left expected to sell them.  Reduced admission for Saddlers Fans, expect the same as against Bradford. 

Walsall Team News: Fitzroy Simpson available,  Lee keeps everyone guessing with his line up. 

Rotherham United Team News: Byfield and Garner may have to sit on the bench.

Show of to your mates:  Rotherham haven't beaten Walsall at the Bescot for 10 years.  (We lost 4-0 in the FA Cup that day!)

Last Meeting:  1.12.01 (Div 1) Millers 2-0 Walsall

Walsall (Lg) Form :  DWWLL

Rotherham United (Lg) Form WWLDL

Walsall League Position: 18th (Div 1)

Rotherham United  Position: 8th (Div 1)

Walsall Man to Watch: Danny Hay, in form defender

Rotherham United Man to Watch: Byfield (enough said)

The Verdict:  Will we score? Will Jorge score? Will we get in the ground early enough? Will Byfield turn it on? Will we take our chances? Who will Colin Lee pick? All questions surrounding Tuesdays encounter.  The Millers have started well, but like us have failed to win there last three league games. If we can create and take our chances we should win. 

PREDICTION: Walsall 2-1 Rotherham United.

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Preview  Extra : Byfield, the prodigal son?

These things usually go one of two ways.  You either get the sort of “welcome” Rio Ferdinand got at Elland Road on Saturday, which probably was over the top – after all, who would most players rather play for, Manchester United or Leeds? – or a crowd giving out a glow of happy memories – Bob Taylor playing for Bolton at the Hawthorns (or Ade Viveash getting a cheer when he was warming up the other week).

Judging by the crowd reaction to Martin Butler, however, who left the club because Walsall didn’t require his services and still gets an immense amount of stick on his returns, what will the reaction be to a player who turned down a vastly improved contract and left just for the money?  Despite the fact that he was responsible for one of the greatest moments in Walsall history when he scored the winner at Cardiff, I don’t think Darren will enjoy the experience if he starts making any errors, something he is always likely to do, being a confidence player.

Anyway, whatever Darren does tomorrow, I’m not going to make any predictions, having gone for 2 – 0 for the Bradford game on the WM Football Phone In on Friday night!

On a second point, does anyone know if there has ever been any research done on the home records of teams playing on three sided grounds while stands were being redeveloped?  I have something in the back of my mind that there have been very few teams to have had a decent scoring record in these circumstances.  I’m not saying that it is the only (or even the main) problem we are suffering from at the moment, but the lack of atmosphere can’t help!