Walsall vs Bromley preview
Since their relegation to League Two in 2018/19, Walsall have flattered to deceive in the lowly confines of League Two.
Managers have come and gone, but their best result was last season’s 11th-place finish, albeit five points off the play-offs.
That finish came off the back of current manager Matt Sadler’s hard work in his first year in charge.
Even before we dissect the fact that Walsall are 2nd in the table going into tonight’s encounter, we know that Sadler can spot a player.
A certain Ryan Stirk is an ever-present at the heart of their midfield, having joined them after being released by Birmingham City at the back end of 22/23.
In case you’ve forgotten, Ryan was one of the best midfielders we have ever seen at Hayes Lane. His half-season loan stint was a driving force behind Bromley’s run to the National League play-off semi-finals that season.
The jump from a mid-table finish to a potential automatic promotion push is largely the result of some astute summer wheeling and dealing.
Charlie Lakin (Burton Albion), Connor Barrett (AFC Fylde), David Okagbue (Stoke City), and loanees Tommy Simkin and Nathan Lowe (Stoke City), are all first-choice at the moment.
They have been crucial additions to a squad that has only lost one of their last eleven league games. In addition, the Sadlers have the second-best offensive and defensive records in the league.
Young Stoke starlet Nathan Lowe currently has 11 goals in all competitions, with Jamie Jellis (7) and Jamille Matt (5) not that far behind.
On paper, it is hard to see how Bromley will leave Walsall with points tonight. Then again, we said something similar when the Ravens travelled to Doncaster on a Tuesday night last month. That was, coincidentally, the last time Bromley won a league game.
Saturday’s game at Salford City was called off, which may have proved a blessing in disguise for the Ravens, particularly if it has allowed some of the injured players to come back.
So, rather than come up with something new, let me repeat what I said before Salford City.
Bromley have only lost one of their last eight league games but continue to draw too many. If they’re to move away from the foot of the table, that needs to change.
With Lewis Leigh having been sent off last week, I wouldn’t expect any changes from last week’s lineup unless Corey Whitely is fit.
Without Whitely, most of Bromley’s attacking thrust has to come through Danny Imray, but you kinda sense that most teams have clocked on to this.
It is a testament to Danny’s ability that he can play past this. Crystal Palace fans should be very excited about this young man. He isn’t the finished article by any stretch of the imagination, but I reckon he has it.
If Whitely is fit, it changes the dynamic of how Bromley will play this game. It is absolutely critical that Bromley have at least two ball carriers in the team, and Imray and Whitely are the two best ball carriers currently at the club.
I say ‘currently’ because I expect Andy Woodman to try his hardest to reengage Ben Krauhaus and Brentford in January.
Here is my starting lineup. What’s yours?
The From Bromley with Love XI
Smith
Sowunmi Webster Grant
Imray Thompson Arthurs Odutayo
Whitely
Cheek Dennis
Please note all match photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Twitter here
All articles are edited by Peter Etherington you can link to him here
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