Walsall's brilliant winning run came to a grinding halt at Colchester United last Saturday with a 0-2 defeat and a somewhat disappointing performance. United were on an unwanted club record of seven successive defeats Walsall had won every game of 2013 and there was every reason to believe that this would be another routine win as Walsall should have been full of confidence. Pre match the talk was of the departure of assistant manager Richard O'Kelly to Bristol City. Febian Brandy was out suspended and how Saddlers missed the little livewire. The attack was sluggish with Nick Featherstone pushed into an unfamiliar role which simply never came off.
The first half was a virtual non-event with both Walsall and Colchester getting nowhere. A sub-3,000 gate an lack of atmosphere painted a dreary picture at one of football's outposts. The first goal was scored by ex-Saddler Jabo Ibehre-how Walsall could do with him in their side- with the second and deciding goal scored by Freddie Sears and United also hit the bar. So little seen as an attacking force and the final whistle could not come quick enough. A tiny blip, hopefully, and with everyone given a lift by the appointment of David Kelly as No2 there is a chance this weekend with a home game against lowly Oldham to get back on that winning track.
