x

Walsall Or Dagenham ?

Who do you want to go down from League One

Saints play a big part on the final day of the season in the relegation battle, as it stands Walsall sit on 48 points with a goal difference of - 17, whilst Dagenham sit only one point behind on 47 with a difference of -13, in terms of goals scored which might well come into play, Walsall have notched 55, whilst the Daggers have hit 52, it couldnt have been much closer.

The simple mathematics are that Walsall need to win and they stay up, a draw or a defeat could, but not neccesarily, put them down.

The nightmare for Walsall is a heavy defeat at St Mary's, this would destroy their goal difference and leave them susceptible to Dagenham jumping above them if they can snatch a draw at Peterborough.

On the face of it both games are fairly similar, a top four side at home to each relegation battler, but for Peterborough this is not their last game of the season and they have far more other things to worry about, with a play off semi against MK Dons they will have two worries, injuries and suspensions and it could be that they might prefer to rest certain players rather than risk them being injured or even sent off, whilst Saints not only dont have to worry about that, but aare in themselves aiming not only to preserve their unbeaten league home record in 2011, but hit the 90 point mark and close the gap on Brighton, Saints not only have it all to play for, but if Saints do decide to rest a player the standard of those coming in is still way above Peterborough's.

So at first view, although Walsall have the point advantage, you would put more money on Dagenham beating Peterborough than Walsall winning at St Mary's.

It is going to go down to the wire, I can see Daggers nicking a point at Posh and Walsall losing at SMS, this would send Walsall down given their goal differencee, playing at any other team in League one you wouldnt put too much on it, but remember this is Peterborough who have conceded more goals at home (40) than any other team and more shockingly more than Dagenham have conceded away from home themselves, so bearing in mind those records, could Dagenham stay up on the closest of margins a 4-4 draw sneaking them home, it would be well worth a punt, what the odds would be I wouldnt know, but a double of Saints to win 4-0 and Dagenham to get that 4-4 draw would surely be very very good.    

Who would Saints fans want to stay up, by default it would be Dagenham purely because we would want to beat Walsall as we would wantto beat any other visiting team, but those who visited Dagenham in January might just harbour a soft spot for Daggers keeper Tony Roberts, still playing at 41 and still possessing a sense of humour as he showed the visiting supporters in the second half.        

What to read next:

It's Official Adam Lallana Returns To Southampton
The worst kept secret has now been confirmed and Saints have announced that Adam Lallana has returned to St Mary's on a free transfer, after leaving Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of his contract.
Southampton Interested In Bournemouth Defender
A year ago Saints were interested in signing Max Aarons from Norwich City a year ago, but after being relegated, they were never going to be much of an attraction to the player and he went to Bournemouth.
Southampton Linked To Reunion With Armando Broja
Chelsea are keen to clear the decks to ensure they don't fall foul of the PSR rules, one of the players they are keen to sell is Armando Broja and their agents are working hard to put him in the shop window.
Turkish Super Lig Giants Bidding For Joe Aribo
Joe Aribo started the 2023/24 season on the fringes of the first team at Southampton, but flourished as the season progressed and by the end was a vital part of the Saints midfield, this it seems has not gone unnoticed by Besiktas.
Southampton Agree Permanent Deal For Key Loanee
Saints supporters will be delighted to hear the news that Ryan Fraser is set to join the club on a permanent basis, after the club have agreed a deal with his current club Newcastle United.
1976 FA Cup Hero's Winners Medal To Be Auctioned
Back in the pre Premier League days, football players were well paid when compared to the average man in the street, but they weren't the multi millionaires that today's players become, so it is sad that one of our own legend's is forced to sell his medal from that great day.
Southampton Already Linked With New Goalkeeping Target
After the news that alleged top goalkeeping target for Saints Patrick Pentz had signed for Brondby, it seems that the club have lost no time in looking at another option for next season.
Saints And Celtic Said To Have Lost Out On Number One Goalkeeping Target
Reports are coming through that Southampton and Celtic have both been too slow in pursuing their top goalkeeping target in this transfer window and will now have to look elsewhere.
Trabzonspor Demand Southampton Lower Price For Striker
Turkish side Trabzonspor are keen to sign Tall Pall Onuachu on a permanent basis, the only problem is that their valuation is far below that of Saints, not mention his wages and there is also the little matter of Goztepe watching with interest.
Here Are The Summer 2024 Transfer Window Opening And Closing Dates
Many expected the 2024 summer transfer window to open on June 1st, but that has been and gone and it still hasn't opened for business, find out all the important dates this summer here.