Express & Star

Walsall targeting a Cup upset over Oxford

Walsall face a stern test when they welcome League One high- flyers Oxford United in the FA Cup.

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While the Saddlers have struggled for long periods in League Two this season, Karl Robinson’s side sit sixth in the division above, having lost only four of their 17 matches, winning eight.

But Walsall can find some comfort in the fact that out of Oxford’s four league losses, three of them have come away from home.

And the Saddlers have made a marked improvement of their own in recent weeks.

After six straight league losses and a dismal 2-2 draw against non-league Darlington in the FA Cup, the club have made a resurgence of sorts.

Three wins in a row, two in the cup and one in the league, has brought back some positivity among the fans.

A 0-0 draw against struggling Stevenage dampened that to some extent, but it meant Walsall have gone five unbeaten as they look to cause an upset tomorrow.

A blossoming strike partnership between Josh Gordon and Caolan Lavery is getting supporters off their seats, while youngsters Callum Cockerill-Mollett and Alfie Bates are putting in consistent and impressive displays.

Experienced midfielder Danny Guthrie made his return from injury against Stevenage and showed the kind of quality that the Saddlers are desperate for, as they prepare to face one of the country’s most potent sides.

The U’s top the League One form table over the last five and last 10 games.

United are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions and arrive at the Banks’s Stadium tomorrow in fine form and full of confidence.

The goals have been flowing all season, with four players all notching more than five.

Former Wolves winger James Henry leads the goalscoring statistics for United, with nine goals and five assists and the spread of goals throughout the team has put the visitors second in the goalscoring charts for League One.

Meanwhile, Walsall striker Elijah Adebayo insists he is feeling confident as he goes ‘hunting’ for more goals.

The 21-year-old has been out of favour in recent weeks with Gordon and Lavery impressing in the Saddlers front line.

Adebayo notched his second of the campaign in the 2-1 loss at home to Mansfield, where he was widely praised for his performance and work-rate.

But he failed to build on that game and his since lost his place in the side.

Despite his barren run in front of goal, Adebayo says he has always been confident.

“I’m always confident, even if it’s not going so well for me,” he said. “I always know you’ll get one chance in the game, if you’re lucky you might get two or three.

“I’m always confident that when I do get that chance I’ll more than likely take it.

“It’s about keeping self believe, not just me but the whole team.

“I never really get too down about what’s going on in the past or what I’m not doing right - it’s about the here and now, the present.

“It was nice to get the goal against Mansfield but I’m hunting for more.

“I’ve always said I want to get as many as possible.

“I believe that getting into the right areas, doing my work inside the box, will give me the best chance.”

With fellow striker Rory Gaffney struggling in a Saddlers shirt, competition was limited until Gordon and Lavery’s partnership emerged.

The pair started their first game together in the 6-0 win over Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy and have started the following three games since.

And Adebayo says that competition for places is important.

“It is going to be competition for places, like it has been all season,” he added.

“A few people have been out as well but when we’re all fit the competition is very high.

“We all want the best for each other but we know we can’t all play.

“It’s about who’s performing the best at the time and who’s willing to give their all for the team.

“Everyone has different characteristics and we all believe that we bring something different to the team. First and foremost it’s the hard work, everyone has to have hard work and desire to give their all for the team.

“We all have different aspects to our game to help the team progress.”