Walsall 0 Leicester City 0 (0-3 pens) - George Bennett and Nathan Judah analysis
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00:00You were very frustrated at the end of that game, as I'm sure a lot of Walsall fans were
00:21as well with the result, but not with the team's efforts. Full of pride, determination,
00:28not the result, they're not into the next round of the Carabao Cup, but at the same
00:33time, what a magnificent showing that was over 90 minutes.
00:37He said I've had time to sleep. It was a late one, but yeah, it was just gutted after they
00:44lost that penalty shootout. But, you know, on reflection and I see that many Walsall
00:50fans have posted thoughts along a similar line as that performance was something that
00:58this team can be really proud of.
01:01It's been a really good start to the season in the league and, you know, the cup runs
01:07in terms of the form in the EFL trophy and especially the EFL Cup has just added to that
01:14positive momentum. And despite the defeat, I think that that will only fuel that positivity,
01:19which we've seen in these early stages of the season.
01:23Yeah. Look, I mean, there were so many standout performances from the night, wasn't it? And
01:27look, you look at the game as a whole and Leicester City had more possession, which
01:32you'd expect. I mean, this was a team full of international talent from start, from front
01:37to back, really. But at the same time, if you're maybe looking at one slight negative,
01:42I guess, on the evening is that Walsall in both halves had the best chances of the match.
01:47And I guess the convert one of them, then they're in the next round. And that's the
01:50frustrating thing. I think Charlie Lakin and Albert Odoma make his 700th appearance, probably
01:55had the two best chances. Walsall created what were more of a threat, I think, throughout.
02:02The first shot on goal was, you know, was 12 minutes before the end of the game from
02:06Buonanotte for Leicester. So it just shows really that they used the ball when they had
02:10it so, so well. Walsall just didn't quite get that finishing touch.
02:15I mean, you know, you look at that defence and it's such a young defence. I mean, a Cadbury,
02:20Williams and Evan Weir came in, which, you know, was a surprise. We maybe thought that
02:25Taylor Allen was going to start. And although he had a difficult evening up against Vitaru,
02:30I think, you know, up until the last 20 minutes, he kept what was their biggest threat on the
02:36night, relatively quiet. He did start to grow into that game towards the end, but a really
02:42good defensive performance in terms of the chances. I mean, Leicester may have dominated
02:48the ball, but Walsall were more of a threat with it when they did have it. That chance
02:54for Lakin, you know, I watched the highlights back last night and it was a very good save
02:59by Dan Ward, has to be said. But it was a great opportunity. There was one that he put
03:05wide at the back post, looked like it was from an acute angle and possibly even a save
03:10from Ward, although it was given as a goal kick. And then of course, you know, Albert
03:14Adoma, what a moment it could have been for him at what was a great night and a great
03:19occasion and milestone for him after what's been a glittering career. And just unfortunately,
03:26I mean, you know, we said in the video, which never came out last night, that if you wanted
03:32it to fall to one man, really, he would have been the one. And yeah, I mean, Nathan Lowe,
03:38heavily involved in both attacks, both chances. And it was his cutback and Albert Adoma just
03:45put his finish wide. But yeah, those chances go in and Walsall are looking at an upset.
03:52But yeah, across the 90 minutes to a man, brilliant performance.
03:56And in terms of going forward in the league, which of course is the most important thing,
04:01and you spoke to Matt Saddle after the game as well, how much confidence will this give
04:05the Walsall players that they can mix it against the Premier League opposition going into,
04:09obviously, we're in the early stages of the League Two campaign, but they've started so well?
04:14Yeah, I think it will only increase the confidence. Maybe physically it may take a toll
04:19on them when they get ready for their early kickoff against Colchester on Saturday. But
04:24yeah, that can only increase the confidence. I mean, we've seen from the cup run, the draw
04:29against Birmingham and what a performance they put in that night. I mean, just to look at the
04:34memories for the supporters as well that this EFL Cup run's created. I mean, you know,
04:41Josh Gordon's night of redemption against Exeter, missing the penalty in normal time and then
04:46scoring the winner in the shootout, coming from two goals behind against Huddersfield,
04:51two League One sides. And then to really test and feel aggrieved that they didn't come away
05:01with a win against Premier League Leicester. I mean, that can only help increase the confidence
05:07levels, which are seriously flowing not only through the squad and the management staff,
05:13but also the supporters. I mean, last night I was speaking to the Walsall media guys and
05:19I think it was 45 media passes. So it's great to see the interest, you know, widespread interest
05:25in that tie last night and also over 8,000, a bumper crowd and a great occasion for the club.
05:31So, you know, the leagues are bread and butter, but these cup competitions and nights like last
05:36night, they create memories that last for a generation, you know, supporters will remember
05:43that and they don't come around all that often. So yeah, a great occasion for the club and like
05:51you said, will only increase the confidence at the moment.
05:55Yeah, like you said, over 8,000 people there last night and quite a few of those Walsall fans,
06:00it'll be the first look they had at Walsall this season. What they did get was a standing ovation
06:07at the end of the game and quite rightly so. I guess for people watching Walsall for the first
06:12time, for the fans seeing them live, I know obviously you've got a really good core there,
06:16but there will be people who was their first trip to the Banks this season.
06:20I guess Matt Sadler, the players will want these fans to keep coming back and support them. What's
06:26going to be a very difficult campaign is going to be a long campaign, but they can probably see
06:30that something special is brewing first hand and I guess the fans and the club want these guys to
06:37be part of that. Yeah, it feels like something special is building, you know, you want to kind
06:43of temper that enthusiasm and the fact that we're still very early doors in the season. But I mean,
06:48from the evidence of these opening games, it feels really exciting at the moment. And last
06:53night's performance only kind of underlined that really. I mean, five wins and seven in the league.
07:01I put a stat out after the win at Salford that, you know, that was Walsall's tally of wins
07:07after 19 games. So the improvement on the start of this season has been phenomenal really.
07:16And yeah, it is exciting times. I just want to pick out some standouts from last night. I mean,
07:24Harry Williams was just unbelievable in the heart of defence. You saw me open mouth just before the
07:33break with his interception where he's at full stretch. He's managed to hook the ball over his
07:38head to stop the ball going through to Edouard. An unbelievable interception and a challenge right
07:45at the end that got the Walsall fans roaring as it took the tie to penalties. And Conor Barrett as
07:53well. I mean, running out of superlatives to describe this guy. Come from non-league and
07:59you think, can he make the step up? And first couple of performances were promising and he's
08:03just going from strength to strength now. I mean, instrumental on Saturday against Salford.
08:08And the confidence he had, especially in the first half where he was flying forward down
08:13that right-hand side. The combination play with Ronan Mair, who I also thought played well.
08:19Really impressive performance from him and looking an incredible signing.