A brighter return to Bees for Walsall

Nov 21 2009 by Brian Halford, Birmingham Mail

WALSALL today return to the Griffin Park home of Brentford for the first time in almost four years – and Chris Hutchings will be hoping to avoid the fallout that befell Paul Merson back in 2006.

On February 4, 2006 the Saddlers visited the Bees with storm clouds gathering over Merson’s flagging reign as manager.

After a 5-0 defeat to Martin Allen’s promotion-bound side those clouds broke – and the former Villa and England man was sacked.

In truth Merson’s dismissal had been all but sealed four days earlier when Walsall visited bottom-of-the-table Swindon and lost a wretchedly poor contest 1-0.

Only a huge result at high-flying Brentford could have saved the manager’s skin – and it never looked like coming.

Brentford were 2-0 up in 11 minutes and cruising. Walsall’s cause was not helped by the loss of goalkeeper Andy Oakes with an arm injury in the first half.

Teenage reserve Luke Tilt went on for what was to be his only ever hour of first-team, football and acquitted himself honourably but was helpless to prevent Brentford adding another three goals in the second half.

Merson himself, in the No.9 shirt, along with the likes of Joe Broad, Kevin James, Taiwo Atieno and Stuart Leary, was unable to stem the tide.

After the match chairman Jeff Bonser refused to write off Merson’s reign straight away but a board meeting had already been scheduled.

Two days later Merson was sacked. It would be a major surprise however, whatever happens at Griffin Park today, if Hutchings is dismissed on Monday.