We turn our attentions to the weekend with a full and in-depth preview of The Bluebirds' League Two trip to The Banks's Stadium.
Walsall v Barrow
Saturday 23rd October 2021, 3pm
The Banks’s Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
New Walsall boss Matt Taylor was given the green light to overhaul the squad at The Banks’s Stadium during the summer after being appointed to the role at the end of May.
Taylor was able to bring in 13 new players and, after a slow start to the new campaign, those recruits are showing signs of settling in and helping The Saddlers climb the League Two table.
Three consecutive losses to kick-off 2021/22 was not ideal, but Taylor’s men rallied towards the end of the opening month and have showed more encouraging signs in recent weeks.
After a dramatic home win over Salford City, Walsall picked up a creditable point on the road at Leyton Orient before claiming a confidence-boosting win at Oldham Athletic in midweek.
One To Watch
George Miller has proved a big hit at The Bank’s Stadium since arriving at the club on a season-long loan from Barnsley at the end of August.
The 23-year-old scored twice on his home debut in the win over Mansfield Town and also struck a brace at Matt Taylor’s men came home from Exeter City with a point from a 2-2 draw.
Miller was among the scorers again on Tuesday night as Walsall won at Oldham Athletic so The Bluebirds’ defence will have to keep a close eye on the former Middlesbrough man on Saturday.
Head To Head
Saturday’s game will be the 35th competitive encounter between the two clubs in a rivalry which stretches back to the 1921/22 Division Three North days.
The Saddlers have had the better of it historically having tasted victory 14 times in comparison to Barrow’s 11, but The Bluebirds won on their last trip to The Banks’s Stadium last term thanks to Josh Kay’s late goal.
Referee
Andy Haines will oversee The Bluebirds for the first time this season when he’s the man in the middle for our League Two trip to Walsall.
The experienced official has been refereeing in the EFL since 2007/08 and last took charge of Barrow during the 2-0 home defeat to Port Vale back in April.
Haines has operated mainly across League One and League Two so far this term, with his most recent appointment being at Bradford City for their 2-2 draw with Bristol Rovers last weekend.
Tickets
Bluebirds fans can save money by buying their tickets in advance – simply call The Saddlers’ Ticket Office before 4.30pm on Friday on 01922 651 416.
Tickets will also be available on the day but at a slightly more expensive rate.
Click here for all the information you need on tickets for the game.
Live Streaming
We are unable to live stream games on iFollow in the UK on Saturday afternoons, though Bluebirds fans outside of the country can still access live footage on iFollow.
Click here now to visit the Walsall Match Centre.
Live Commentary
We will be providing live online audio commentary from every game this season as we continue our broadcast partnership with BBC Radio Cumbria.
Fans will be able to listen to expert Bluebirds commentator Adam Johnson, who will be joined by former Barrow boss Lee Turnbull to describe all the action as it unfolds at The Banks’s Stadium.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.
Click here now to subscribe to iFollow.
Betting
Walsall have been installed as 6/4 favourites for three points on Saturday, with The Bluebirds rated a 9/5 shot to win the game and a draw priced up at 21/10 by our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at a full list of markets ahead of Saturday’s game.