Bristol City will host Walsall in the Carabao Cup first round on Thursday evening, marking Walsall head coach Lee Grant’s competitive debut. The Championship side, who finished 12th last season with 62 points (17W-11D-18L), will face a Walsall team undergoing a major overhaul this summer. Grant, who has overseen 10 new signings and 14 departures, described the match as the start of an 'exciting journey' for his side.
What’s at stake for Walsall?
Walsall enter the game after a mixed pre-season, failing to score in their friendlies played in front of spectators. Despite this, Grant remains optimistic, calling the match a 'proud moment' for him and the team. The Saddlers will be looking to make an impact against a Bristol City side that finished 33 points behind leaders Coventry last season, scoring and conceding 59 goals each.
Grant’s leadership approach
Grant emphasized the importance of balancing emotion and calmness, especially in a high-pressure environment like Ashton Gate. 'I’m probably always wary of leading too much into emotion,' he said, noting that Walsall will need to stay composed against a side two divisions above them. The match will also be broadcast live, adding to the pressure.
What comes next for Bristol City?
For Bristol City, this is an early opportunity to test their squad depth ahead of the new Championship season. Their last result, a 2-0 win over Stoke City on May 2, 2026, capped a strong finish to the 2025 campaign. With a recent form of 2W-1D-2L (WWLLD), they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into the new season.
