THE CHALKBOARD

WALSALL’S recent change in fortunes has come as a nice surprise to those around the Bescot.

The Saddlers hadn’t won at home since the end of December before beating Colchester 2-1.

They followed that up with a 1-0 win at home to Southend at the weekend to put them on the brink of the automatic spots.

Jon Whitney, who is in interim charge after Sean O’Driscoll’s sacking at the beginning of March, has restored enthusiasm and energy to the squad.

He has restored the belief in the players that they can finish off what Dean Smith started.

Town need to be wary of the 12th man at the Bescot, with Whitney tweeting after Saturday’s game to say they would be starting again tonight.

Swindon Advertiser:

Jon Whitney

A MAN IN FORM: ROMAINE SAWYERS

ROMAINE Sawyers may have missed out on the top gongs at the Football League awards on Sunday but there is no doubting his importance to the Walsall side.

A player who likes to sit in the hole behind the striker, he has developed a good relationship with Tom Bradshaw this term and more recently Jordy Hiwula-Mayifuila.

Despite going through a quiet spell in the team, in the last few games he has sparked back into life and will have to be closely marshalled by whoever Town opt for in the holding midfield position.

His passing range catches the eye and he is calm in possession and is able to spread the ball wide as well as finding that killer pass in behind the defence.

The problem is that when he plays well the Saddlers play well but if he has an off night it can often reflect on the team performance, so keeping him quiet will be key.

Swindon Advertiser:

Romaine Sawyers (red)

TREATMENT ROOM

TOM Bradshaw missed Saturday’s 1-0 win over Southend as he was rested from the matchday squad with fatigue and to help him get over a groin niggle.

Despite having scored 18 goals for the Saddlers this campaign already, an immediate return to the first team is not nailed on with Romaine Sawyers and Jordy Hiwula in situ.

It could be a case of seeing him waiting in the wings to have an impact should Walsall be in need of something later in proceedings, unless Jon Whitney sees him as too important to leave him out.

James O’Connor, who has played in the heart of the defence for much of this campaign, has returned from a calf injury but could only find a spot on the bench against Southend.

Matt Pennington, who won Coventry City’s young player of the year award last season, has come in on loan from Everton and proved to be a rock at the back keeping O’Connor out of the starting XI.

Swindon Advertiser:

Tom Bradshaw (white/blue)

OPPO FORM GUIDE

Sat, Mar 19

Skybet League 1

2-1 Win v Colchester United (H)

Sat, Apr 2

Skybet League 1

2-0 Loss v Sheff United (A)

Sat, Apr 9

Skybet League 1

1-0 Loss v Oldham Athletic (A)

Tues, Apr 12

Skybet League 1

2-1 Win v Gillingham (A)

Sat, Apr 16

Skybet League 1

1-0 Win v Southend United (H)

ODDS

Walsall (4/7)

1-0: 13/2

2-0: 13/2

3-0: 10/1

2-1: 7/1

3-1: 11/1

3-2: 22/1

Draw (10/3)

0-0: 11/1

1-1: 13/2

2-2: 16/1

3-3: 50/1

4-4: 300/1

Town (11/2)

1-0: 16/1

2-0: 33/1

3-0: 66/1

2-1 18/1

3-1: 40/1

3-2: 40/1

TOP GOALSCORERS

Tom Bradshaw: 18

Milan Lalkovic: 8

Sam Mantom: 8

DISCIPLINE

Adam Chambers: 6Y

Paul Downing: 5Y

Jason Demetriou: 5Y

THE STAT

Swindon have only failed to score at the Bescot on two occasions this century – 2001 and 2005. On their last visit (December 2014) they won 4-1.