Bury face a tough task this weekend against League One’s early pacesetters, Walsall although manager Dean Smith thinks the north Manchester club have a lot more to come.
Bury, who are without a win in the league this season whilst their opponents Walsall are as yet unbeaten and sit atop the table with 13 points, travel to the Banks’ Stadium for their 3pm clash on Saturday.
Scoring goals has not proved to be a problem for the Shakers so far this term, with ten scored already by four different players.
However, there are likely to be some worries for Bury fans as one of the league’s most porous defences, which has failed to keep a single clean sheet this season, faces the second most potent attack.
The number of goals Bury have conceded in the opening five games is only fewer than recently relegated Blackpool, who are in free fall and propping up the division.
Walsall boss Dean Smith, who has been named as the League One Manager of the Month for August, told his club’s website: “They’ve had a strange start. They’ve not won a game yet but have scored ten goals in five games – two goals a game – which takes some doing.
“They got promoted last season so they’ve got some momentum. David Flitcroft has done a good job there and it will be a tough game for us.”
Bury’s injured quartet of Kelvin Etuhu, Keil O’Brien and strikers Leon Clarke and Daniel Nardiello are all expected to miss the match, although the latter is close to making his return.
Walsall will be without two players, Philippines goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and Cyprus defender Jason Demetriou, who are both away on international duty.
Both teams were in midweek Johnstone’s Paint Trophy action against teams from League Two: Bury triumphed away at Accrington Stanley 2-1 in a tight encounter, whilst Walsall drew a blank in the 2-0 defeat against Morecambe.
The Saddlers will surely be looking to remedy the disappointing midweek result with another league win, whilst Bury must be eager to get the first league win on the board.
Image courtesy of Walsall FC Official via YouTube, with thanks.
