According to our Walsall “Who are You?” candidate, whose thoughts have just landed and will be published on Thursday, we will either be thrashed 4-1 “because we love being the underdogs”, or Sunderland will romp to victory “because sometimes the wheels really do come off”. Nothing in between.
And for the FA Cup game a week later, he reckons we will batter them for most of the game but lose 1-0.
Most of that is emphatically not what it says in the script, writes Monsieur Salut. After missing an open-goal chance to go top by beating Wycombe Wanderers, we must regain our former momentum. Barnsley, next up after this game, are looking good again and breathing loudly down our necks.
Have a go at guessing the score. Since no one predicted a 1-1 draw against Wycombe, I have decided to keep open the offer of a copy of Managers, Volume III of Tales From the Red and Whites, as the prize for whoever is first with the correct scoreline.
As ever, everyone – Walsall supporters included – is invited to enter. But there will be no variation in the prize; a Walsall winner would also receive the book and can either enjoy it for its own sake of find a Mackem to give it to for Christmas.
With some relief, I can say that we are slowly dealing with the backlog of prizes. Mugs were ordered today for three readers and should arrive within days. Record-keeping is not my strong point and my e-mail account is a mess, so anyone who knows they are due a mug is urged to make contact and nag me.
Ha’way the Lads. And bear in mind that our Walsall interviewee also says he’s “rubbish at predictions”.
Out of the most likely options, from 0-0 to 4-4, 2-2, 3-3, 4-2 and 4-4 are left. So I’ll plump for 4-2 to us.
Walsall 1 – 4 Sunderland, my usual scoreline and an added endorsement from Walsall ‘Who Are You’, can’t fail.
Goals are looking hard to come by.
0-0
1-2 To the LADS
The Lads to win 3-0.
I wish I shared Eric’s optimism. Yes we will score 4… but also concede 3! The bonus is me being there to witness first hand The Lads winning 4-3.
2-3. O’Nien scores all 5.
1-3 to the lads
A one nil win for Sunderland.
lets go for 0-2 for the lads
Getting your prediction in nice and early is the key to success. Fower nowt.
1-1 again
Sunderland 2 Walsall 0
Back to our winning ways, with a clean sheet to boot.