The Saddlers to play Fleetwood...
Walsall manager Dean Smith is anticipating a ‘tough’ tie against League One rivals Fleetwood in the FA Cup first round.The Cod Army have struggled this season but climbed out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory at Barnsley in their last match.
Steven Pressley succeeded Graham Alexander as Fleetwood manager earlier this month and has overseen a mini revival, winning two of his four matches in charge.
The tie will be played on the weekend of 6th to 9th November, and will be the third meeting between the two sides in this competition.
“It’s good that we’re at home,” said Smith.
“You want a home draw in any cup competition but it’s going to be a tough game because we’re playing a team from our league.
“They’ve been up and down in Steven’s first few games. They lost his first game against Coventry, then had a great win against Burton, lost against Sheffield United but then won again against Barnsley.
“They’ve got very good players there and we’ll have to be at our best.
“We’d love to have a good run in the FA Cup.
“We had two decent results against Nottingham Forest and Brighton in the League Cup and ended up with Chelsea at home so we know what’s at the end of it.
“There’s prize money at stake and we want to go as far as we can.”