Saddlers supremo calm about Kanu

Daniel Kanu scored for Walsall for the fifth game running yesterday in what was ultimately a 1-1 draw with Shropshire's finest.

But Walsall supremo Mat Sadler is reported to have remained calm about the future of Kanu after Nathan Jones raised the possibility of a recall,

Sadler said: We are looking after Kanu well and they [Charlton] are very pleased with how we are looking after him.  We give everything to loan players when they come to the club and we are a good destination for them.'

'We've got a great relationship with Charlton.'  If Kanu does return to The Valley, it will be the fourth season in a row that the Saddlers have lost their top scorer back to a parent club in January.

A cautionary note: there is a gap between League 2 defences and those in the Championship.

Reading results off the table

This is a favourite occupation of football fans and certainly form and position suggest that Charlton should be able to beat Walsall comfortably tomorrow. However, this is Charlton we are talking about.

The failure to resolve the takeover one way or the other is starting to unsettle Parky at least. He wants to offload some players and strengthen the squad in crucial areas where we are light, but the absence of any decision limits what he can do.

My scenario for the game is this: we go 2-0 up with early goals from Burton and Bailey. We then think 'job done' and settle into cruise control. The Saddlers get back into the game and Youga concedes a penalty. 2-1 and panic sets in. But in the second half Shelvey scores to give us a comfortable victory.

I remember going to Walsall in, I think, our first promotion season from the second tier. The Saddlers were facing relegation and were protesting against their board. Kinsella was on top form and we won 4-2 to ironic chants of 'Sack the board'. Leaving the stadium, Richard Murray was buttonholed by a Saddler and asked why he was not spending any money. 'I am a Charlton director and I am spending some money,' he replied.

Cut out 'n' keep guide

Here are some etiquette tips if you see Curbs in the crowd during the game:
1. Do not shout 'Sort it out Curbishley!'
2. Do not ask him why he did not keep someone up the field at corners.
3. Do not ask him about the takeover.

Error prone Walsall fear Valley visit

It's odd to find an away team preview of a visit to The Valley not declaring it as an opportunity to take three easy points. But error prone Walsall are far from sure of a win: Saddlers