The Saddlers' match at Fleetwood called off...
Walsall head coach Sean O’Driscoll admits he was “surprised” tonight’s match with Fleetwood was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.Referee Scott Duncan arrived early at Highbury Stadium and deemed the pitch unplayable, with the game being called off just before 3pm.
The Saddlers could have gone top of League One with a victory over the Cod Army.
“We were all quite surprised to be honest,” said O’Driscoll.
“If the referee had called it off for the wind speed I think we would have all thought it was a good decision.
“However, he has called it off for a waterlogged pitch. I couldn’t see any actual standing water on there but you have to respect the decision.
“Apparently with the initial postponement, the pitch was definitely unplayable.
“It’s déjà vu and everyone is disappointed but it gives us some extra time to prepare for the FA Cup game so we might as well look at the positives.”
When asked how the postponement will alter the rest of the week’s preparations, O’Driscoll said: “We’ll probably now get on the grass and train tomorrow.
“We would have been in for a recovery tomorrow and had very little time to prepare for the Reading game.
“The postponement gives us an extra day and enables one or two players to play in a reserve game tomorrow as well.
“There are a few positives that have come out of it - apart from the fact we’ve travelled up again and we’ve now got to fit another Tuesday night game into a very busy schedule.”
IMAGES OF FLEETWOOD'S PITCH
A new date for the Fleetwood match will be announced in due course.