I see some things never change. We may have a half knocked down stand, we may have several new players, we may have a new kit and we may be playing in a different league but we still find ourselves walking away from Millmoor on a Saturday afternoon feeling gutted and talking about a defeat. I haven’t seen any of the pre season games so despite promising sounding performances I didn’t know what to expect from the boys and after 20 minutes I was already fearing the worst after we found ourselves a goal down and seemingly in danger of conceding any time Walsall passed the half way line with Murdock and Worrell looking decidedly dodgy.
Eventually we got in to the game and in fact were treated to some of the best footballer we have season at Millmoor (from Rotherham at least) for a good couple of seasons with some nice passing and moving. We threatened to score on a couple of occasions and finally when we did it was a cracker. Good pace by Burton to get to the ball and then he put in a great cross for Martin Butler who thumped a header home. Nice to see Butts on the goal trail early doors, if he stays fit we could be looking at 20 from him this season.
Second half was very even and flat, it threatened to get tasty when a Walsall player almost ended Lee Williamson’s career but it looked a draw all the way. Until the last 30 seconds. I was in the corner of the ground ready to make an exit to the forecourt to sell the mag so I didn’t get a great view but it looked to me as if Monty dropped a clanger. I think we ought to read a lot in to the fact that MH has signed such an established keeper as cover and let’s get one thing straight: The only time that Monty caught a ball all day was in the warm up. So not the start we wanted or I dare say needed, we seem to be stuck in the losing habit and my initial reaction to me not being able to make Yeovil on Tuesday is one of relief.