And the reward for progression is a trip to Championship high-fliers Southampton in round three, which could be incentive enough for Mat Sadler to go strong with his team selection again. Walsall’s team had some eye-catching inclusions and omissions, most notably Danny Johnson who was not in the matchday squad. Sadler revealed that Johnson’s absence was due to a shoulder injury he picked up in the Barrow game, although he remains hopeful that he will only be a short-term miss. The match was scheduled to be broadcast on BBC One, with former Alfreton player-manager Chris Wilder, Walsall legend Jimmy Walker and Stephen Warnock, an FA Cup winner with Liverpool, all part of the punditry team. “It was too hard in too many areas of the pitch, it seemed like an ice rink in some areas,” Allison said.

Source: BBC December 05, 2023 17:00 UTC