Leeds United travel to a town in the West Midlands often confused with the capital city of Poland. Here’s the match preview. Na zdrowie!
Vital Quotes:
United boss Dennis Wise has admitted that Tresor Kandol’s punishment for his yellow card last week has hit more than the strikers pride.
Talking to Leeds United’s official website Wisey said:
‘Tres’ booking on Saturday was a silly one and he knows it. It has cost him by not being able to play – and it’s cost him in his pocket as well.
‘This is the way it is sometimes. But we have three players [Constantine, Flo, DeVries] who can come in’
Wise is also wary of a familiar face for Leeds United fans, as a resurgent Michael Ricketts looks set to be the danger man for the Saddlers:
‘Michael has something to prove to his old team and to himself.’
‘I am sure he is looking forward to the game.
‘He does not have blistering pace but he is big and strong and can score goals, as he showed by grabbing the winner against Nottingham Forest last week.’
*****
Looking towards the Walsall camp, Saddlers boss Richard Money is remaining calm as they stand on the eve of their biggest fixture of the season.
He spoke to the official Walsall FC Website:
‘It’s just another game for us in a busy period,’ he said. ‘There are still just the three points on offer for the winners.
‘Losing 15 points has certainly galvanised Leeds and there is no doubt that they have some very good players in their side.
‘They have made a terrific start to the season but we have had them watched three or four times and know what to expect.
‘That said, we’re in good form ourselves and will meet the challenge head on. It’s a good opportunity for our younger lads to show how far they have come and they are looking forward to it.’
Walsall Team News:
Paul Boertien and Michael Dobson will sit this one out as loan signing. Peter Sweeney returns to the squad having missed Walsall’s win over Northampton in the FA Cup as his parent club Stoke City refused to give permission for him to play
Player to watch: Michael Ricketts
A player with a Leeds United history as a striker who played 25 games without scoring in league football, useful!
On-loan from Oldham, expect Ricketts to be a threat as he tries to prove a few points against his former employers.
Leeds United Team News:
Leeds are without somersaulting striker Tresor Kandol after picking up a yellow card, his 5th of the season in ridiculous circumstances against Huddersfield Town.
One from Mark DeVries, Tore Andre Flo or Leon Constantine are set to replace him.
Other than that, it’s business as usual for Dennis Wise!
Player to watch: Jermaine Beckford
He’s minus his usual partner in crime this week, how will he react?
Poland!:
With Leeds travelling to Walsall, or if you engage in the local dialect ‘Warsaw’ on Saturday, I thought I would give you a few interesting facts about the Eastern European country of Poland:
Ref Watch:
The referee is Mr K Stroud.
The last time Leeds United have come across Mr Stroud was in September as Kandol and Beckford (2) combined to help Leeds to a 3-0 victory over Bristol Rovers.
Match Prediction:
3-0 Leeds as we go marching on (together, of course.)
Next Up
Leeds United return home as Bristol Rovers visit Yorkshire on the 22nd of December.