Inside the Saddlers
ARGYLE will move out of the Sky Bet League One relegation zone if they avoid defeat at home to Walsall tonight.
So far unbeaten in 2019, the Pilgrims will look to build on Saturday’s excellent 2-1 win over Coventry, a performance that gave the Green Army their third victory in the last three games.
The Pilgrims will face up against a Walsall side who lie 15th in the table but maybe buoyed on by their own excellent win on Saturday, as they beat Gillingham 3-0 away from home. The victory was Walsall’s first in their last six games after a difficult start to the year.
Walsall’s season has been built around their impressive form on the road, with last weekend’s victory being their fifth of the campaign, one more than they have managed at home.
All three of Saturday’s goals came from top goal scorer Andy Cook, who perhaps represents Walsall’s main attacking threat this evening. The impressive centre forward signed in the summer from Tranmere Rovers after helping them get back into the Football League, scoring 28 goals in all competitions.
Cook also scored in this season’s reverse fixture against Argyle, with the Pilgrims losing 2-1 at the Bank’s Stadium. His equaliser cancelled out Ryan Edwards opener before Luke Leahy stepped up with a fine free-kick to settle the game.
At the other end of the pitch, centre-back Jon Guthrie, left-back Luke Leahy and goalkeeper Liam Roberts have played every minute of the Saddlers campaign so far.
Walsall have also looked to bolster the back line further with the signing of two new defenders this week, as Cameron Norman and Scott Laird have joined from Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers respectively.
Other notable Walsall players include one-time England international Matt Jarvis, whose January signing has looked to be an inspired acquisition for Dean Keates’ side. The 32-year-old winger, best known for his stints in the Premier League with Wolves and West Ham, has already impressed with his pace and trickery down the wing.
Walsall have not won at Home Park since 2006, when they beat Argyle 1-0 in the League Cup, courtesy of a goal from Scott Dann.