Stainrod

Tommy Bryceland Simon Stainrod Korey Smith

Tarky has been outstanding in a team that sticks around the lower reaches of league 1, he's not as good as that centre back pairing at Wolves who are the top end of the same division. I doubt he has the pace for anything above lower end of the Championship. Be sorry to see him go however.

Our big problem? We never work the keeper, we rarely get shots on target, contrast that with Wolves, it seemed as though they made Oxley work every time.

Paul Black

No, I've been at Boundary Park when we have had the car boot challenge. Never saw anyone win the season ticket though.

Not many months ago we'd be saying we have two quality strikers. Read on an opponents message board a week or two ago that they rated our forwards based on what they have done at this level, I still feel they have something to offer if tried together.

Take another look at the Walsall highlights.

I would pair our two most likely/natural scores up front (McDonald and Rooney), Harkins just behind with a midfield three of Smith, Wes and Dayton. JCH, Philly, Worral and the rest on the bench. Strong bench. No 'target man' I know BUT you have two forwards waiting for the through ball from Harkins/Dayton and to lesser extent Wes/Korey. Not much down the wings but I don't think we have the forwards to attack the cross (Rooney at home v Vale being a notable exception). Worth a try?

Some save by Oxley. Time he got a bit of credit, he's doing a good job for us.

Harkins is the player brought in to open up the defence, he looks capable of doing that to me, ok he's slow so once has done his trick he needs to move the ball on (he's not going to outpace anyone) but he knows that and so does Johnson. We have asked for a player like this, we now have one, let's see what he can do.

Note some excellent stuff from Harkins even on brief highlights, might not look the part but capable of doing what everybody feels we are crying out for.....that killer pass.

Stick with him, he'll come good in my view.

That's what I thought at the time, it was right in front of us and Philly ought to have gambled and thrown himself at it. That's the instinct of a natural goal poacher, McDonald would probably have reacted more quickly.

Oh, funny guy!

Yes, but it certainly wasn't a poor quality performance, good to watch but struggling to score would be a less derogatory way to put it but take your point.

Meaning?

Back from the game. Certainly wasn't drab thought the first half was the better, two decent footballing teams on show tonight. It looked like a game that would be sorted by 1 goal and no reason to think we wouldn't get it. It went Walsall's way as is often the case, a sloppy goal that I'd need to see again, it fell for them, they scored. Lucky to get the pen but you know to rest. Would have given us a deserved point. Charlie Mac looked sharp again, Harkins is going to be good for us and looks like he will make things happen and importantly he wants the ball even when surrounded. One of our better footballing days but just lack that edge (luck?). Enjoyed the game not the result which is becoming a familiar tale. Not much to choose between the sides in reality.

Be disappointing though wouldn't it, getting a great draw at a premiership club and finding nobody there

Glad we got Liverpool away though, amazing the amount of empty spaces at premier league grounds for the cup, Aston Villa for example. Fantastic that this match sold out.

Great to see the whole game on LTV. Great credit to Kasunga, Tarky, Grounds, Smith (what a player this lad is) and Wes. Petrasso improving every game. Wouldn't mind Rodgers getting more game time next to both Smith and Wes, neat and tidy footballer Thought Oxley and Rooney were decent too, the rest just ok. Disappointed JCH couldn't get into the game, Mellor good at times, very poor at others. Man of the match, Sterling comfortably. Pity Tarky was adjudged to have fouled late on (wrongly) as we were in a great position had play continued. Not enough of a threat to claim we were unlucky but played some lovely football at times.

Shut up with that drum!

Ahead of both Mellor And Winchester for me. Neat and tidy and moves the ball on. Needs a run so we can really see if he can cut it. I think he could.

Rodgers before Winchester and Mellor every time for me, they have had enough chances to stake a claim. Would like to see them out on loan or shipped at the end of the season, enough's enough.

Whole match available on blades player, you can sign in if you subscribe to Latics Player, same every year at SUFC official site for some reason.

Merry Christmas all, we have a great club, let's all stick with them and with each other, things feel on the up to me genuinely and this despite our position, odd isn't it, or maybe it's just Chritmas.