Walsall vs Charlton analysis - Saddlers dumped out of FA Cup
As the old saying goes, you can’t win them all, and defeat to a destructive Charlton Athletic certainly felt like an anomaly for Walsall - as Mat Sadler alluded to.
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The visitors were ruthless and clinical when opportunities came, dumping Walsall out of the FA Cup at the second-round stage.
The Saddlers gave themselves a mountain to climb after a disastrous first half where they handed the Addicks a two-goal advantage.
Two further late strikes from Charlton only compounded Walsall’s misery after a spirited second period from the hosts, and completed a game in which it just wasn’t their day.
So much is said about the magic of the Cup, but not even that helped Walsall like it did during their comeback against Bolton Wanderers in the first round.
But, there is no doubt that the Cup exit will not dent any of the Saddlers’ League Two ambitions. The loss was a mere reminder that, no matter how impressive they have been, Walsall are beatable.
They have had a knack of grinding out results and finding a way to win this season so far, but against Nathan Jones’ side, nothing seemed to fall for them.
There was a sense of excitement around Bescot ahead of kick-off as supporters eyed an opportunity for an upset. And, why wouldn’t they, given Walsall were unbeaten in their last nine matches entering the clash, and against League One opposition.
But, unfortunately, that run came to an end as Sadler named six changes to his side from the one that drew with Bromley.
