So there's a been a lot of discussion about the impact of the pre-season friendlies on WFC.
In case some of you aren't up to speed, here are the results of Walsall's pre-season campaign so far:
Greenock Morton 0 - 2 Walsall
Gretna 0 - 0 Walsall
Walsall 2 - 3 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Walsall 1 - 3 Aston Villa
The arguement at hand is - Should Walsall be playing high calibre teams like Villa and Wolves knowing full well that victory is a slender prospect?
Why set yourself up for certain defeat?
This seems to be the question asked by many confused Walsall fans but there is another way of looking at it.
Any Saddlers fan knows that staying positive (as hard as it may be at times), is such a vital aspect of following the boys in red (or white depending on what season your in).
The initial outlook on the last two games is: "Oh here we go, as if we need to be kicked in the head anymore...why would we play two teams that we know we can't beat...we want to see wins!"
An understandable thought, but pre-season friendlies are not there for winning...they are valuable opportunities for the coaching staff to assess the squad and prepare accordingly for the more important issue at hand...the start of the new season.
Playing against such a high quality of players can do nothing but increase expectations for the season ahead. Go into the mindset that you are playing premier league opposition and the other team won't know whats hit them. Not to mention the mental and physical workout it provides for the players.
Other critics would argue: "Yes but losing 3-1 just before the new season...it's a bit of a downer on everyone".
True, it would be ideal not to lose at all but you simply must take the positives from this fixture. Perhaps losing to Villa dented confidence somewhat but it is Aston Villa and they did concede a goal! Therefore thinking 'We lost against a far superior team but we performed well and we want to bounce back' would be a more positive and in my opinion, accurate outlook
Motivation is a fickle mistress which like a pendulum, can swing either way depending on how it is cultivated. Luckily, Dean Smith seems to have a way of bringing the best out of bad situations and I can only imagine that the metaphorical pendulum swings in our favour.
So as I conclude, playing inferior teams is all good to bring out the best in our players but playing superior teams is the catalyst that will bring together this new Walsall squad and make way for a new age and prepare for the future. The story continues here and at the end of each story, things always end with balance...watch this space Saddlers fans, as i genuinely predict another traumatic season ahead...whether it's at the top or bottom of the table...ahhhh to be a Walsall fan ;).
UTS
