Full-back up against former boss...
IT has been a week of reunions for defender, Andy Taylor, who returned to Sheffield United on Tuesday night for the first time since leaving Bramall Lane for Banks’s Stadium.
This weekend the 26 year-old is prepared to greet another familiar face as he comes up against his former Blades manager, Kevin Blackwell when The Saddlers travel to Bury (kick-off 3.00pm).
Bury boss, Blackwell signed Taylor during his tenure at the Sheffield United helm and the Walsall man knows exactly what to expect from his Shakers' side come Saturday afternoon.
“It’s been a funny week for me," admitted Taylor. "Tuesday was disappointing as personally I would have loved to have got a result against Sheffield United.
“We move on to Saturday now, which is going to be another tough battle. They’re scrapping for points whereas we need the points to kick on again after such a good start to the season.
“Kevin [Blackwell] likes a direct, high-tempo and physical game of football, so we have to be ready for what they throw at us because he will definitely have his players fired up.”
Taylor has cemented his position at left-back and declares to be finding his match sharpness again after 14 months on the sidelines, before returning from injury to make just four appearances for The Blades last season.
And despite only joining The Saddlers in August, the Lancashire born full-back is delighted with the way the club is progressing in his short time at WS1, but admits that everyone involved at the club need to keep their feet on the ground.
“I'm so happy to be playing again and I'm beginning to feel sharper and fitter in games, which is very pleasing," he went on. “We've had a brilliant start to the season, although the last few weeks haven’t gone our way we’re getting plenty of plaudits for our style of play.
"It's disappointing that we aren't picking up results at the moment, but for the most part we are happy with our performances of late and we feel that its only a matter of time before we start winning again.
“Everyone needs to keep a level head, not panic and then we can bounce back and get points on the board. But that is down to us out on the pitch and this squad is very confident in doing that.”
If you are unable to make it along to Gigg Lane, fear not as Saddlers Player will have live commentary...