Colchester v Walsall - George Bennett match preview
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00:00Good afternoon, it's Sadler's fans over at Essenton earlier today where I spoke to Matt Sadler ahead of Walsall's trip to Colchester United on Saturday afternoon and obviously it's the first time we've spoken to the Walsall boss since the transfer window shut on Monday night.
00:22So we heard a little bit about Darius Lipzig, Alfie Chang and Ellis Harrison. Matt Sadler said that the deal was very close to the bone but was thankful that the board were able to get the deal over the line.
00:41Also gave us a bit of insight into how the Alfie Chang situation is going to work out. Obviously had a long-term knee injury which he only returned from in the FA Cup last month in a 2-1 victory against Lincoln City.
01:01So as was the case with George Hall really, probably going to be a similar situation where it kind of eases him into the first team frame and he feels Walsall is a very good place to do that and he'll have an opportunity to recover his best form which Walsall were hopeful would be the case with Hall himself obviously out at the moment with a hamstring injury until around early April time.
01:28The most positive news though was Matt Sadler was pushed on whether Jimmy or Matt will be available and his words were whisper it quietly but yes. So looks like the 35-year-old is back in contention for selection obviously.
01:46Hobbled off in the 33rd minute against Bradford as Walsall went on to lose 3-0 and they've really missed his presence in the 2-0 defeat that he had to sit out at Fleetwood and obviously that 2-2 draw against Salford at Bescott last weekend. So Jimmy or Matt back in the reckoning obviously.
02:04Obviously Jack Eyring, George Hall, Priestley Farkas and Donovan Daniels all out. In other news, talked about the fact that he feels Walsall have come out stronger from the transfer window. Obviously the loss of Nathan Lowe was kind of out of Walsall's control but he said everything they could control. He's thankful to the board for supporting him and helping him keep hold of players.
02:28Obviously there was kind of strong interest in the likes of Harry Williams and Jamie Jellis and although Matt Sadler didn't go into detail about which players were bidded for, he did say that there were offers from other clubs, conversations with other clubs but the answer was plain and simple and there was no interest in selling any of Walsall's players which Matt Sadler stuck to his word. He did say that at the start of the month and it was quite a bold statement but credit to him, credit to the board and the likes of Ben Sadler.
02:57Because Walsall have, other than Lowe, come out with the squad in which they started the January transfer window and added six players on board to that. And just on a last note, I asked him about what the plan was for Ronan Meyer and it looks like he is set to head out on loan to get some extra game time.
03:21Obviously the additions of Lipzig and Alfie Chang means that those midfield options are very much bolstered now so he'll be going out on loan to gain some valuable minutes.