Crewe vs Walsall - George Bennett match preview
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00:00Good afternoon Sadler's fans. I spoke to Matt Sadler today ahead of Walsall's crucial promotion showdown against local rivals crew Alexandra at Gresti Road on Saturday and I wasn't at Bescott to speak to the Walsall manager in person.
00:16Feeling a little bit under the weather today so apologies for the croaky voice but the press conference started with how the mood is in the camp and how the mood was on Monday after that 1-0 defeat against Accrington which obviously extended their winless run to 13 games.
00:33It's a dismal run of just two wins in 20 for Walsall and you know that's why they find themselves in a position that they are trailing the automatic promotion spot by one point.
00:46So yeah it's obviously been a very disappointing frustrating second half to the season for Walsall but going on to Matt Sadler's answer you know he was pretty open and honest about it said that you know clearly he wasn't going to hide away from it.
01:01It was a deflated mood the players sat down with one another and the staff and were honest with each other got a few things off their chest put it to bed reviewed it and yeah moved on to the weekend and a lot of fighting talk from Matt Sadler who said there's still belief they're fighters not victims and he called on Walsall to write fresh history put in the past what's happened they can't change it
01:31now and just focus solely on Saturday but then of course the next question naturally led to the fact of events elsewhere Bradford City who boasts a slender one point advantage over Walsall after Walsall had failed to take advantage of Bradford's 2-1 defeat against promoted Doncaster last weekend.
01:53So you know the Bantams head into this weekend so you know the final weekend so you know the Bantams head into this weekend the final weekend in pole position and they host Fleetwood Town at Valley Parade a win for them would obviously guarantee promotion over Walsall who will drop into the playoffs.
02:12There is a world where Walsall could still automatically be promoted with a draw but that would require Bradford to lose at home which is something they've not done many times this season you know comfortably the best home record in the division.
02:31And of course Knott's County in fifth place two points behind Walsall it would require them to either draw or lose against Doncaster.
02:41If Walsall were to draw and Knott's County were to win that would mean Knott's County would leapfrog Walsall on goal difference so could be plenty of twists and turns on Saturday.
02:54Matt Sadler also offered praise to Taylor Allen and Conor Barrett who were named in the team of the year in League 2.
03:06Obviously Nathan Lowe as well the former Loney was named the young player of the year in the division.
03:13And yeah basically paid testament to both of them.
03:18In terms of team news Jack Earing Matt Sadler talked about the fact that he could be fighting to be fit for this weekend and he still appears a major doubt Sadler said he's still working his way back so I'd be surprised to see him involved in any way shape or form on the weekend.
03:40Obviously Conor Barrett is suspended. He picked up that straight red card following his six-minute cameo from the bench against Accrington.
03:53And then Ethan Wheatley also asked about him because he wasn't available for selection last weekend because he was on duty for Manchester United's under-21s where he scored two goals in a victory over Everton.
04:06And Matt Sadler has confirmed that he will be available for selection this weekend so yeah a nail-biting afternoon ahead.
04:17Over 2,500 Walsall fans are set to make the trip and it's now or never for Walsall in terms of that automatic promotion race.