Full-back delighted with progress...
THE RELIABLE Andy Taylor has put two years of injury woe behind him to enjoy a solid and consistent campaign in The Saddlers’ back-line.The 27 year-old has chalked up 35 appearances since being thrust straight into first-team duty in our Capital One Cup clash at Queens Park Rangers in August, just hours after signing for the club.
“To get regular football under my belt after the past couple of years has been fantastic,” said the former Sheffield United man. “I feel that I have put in some good performances and with the team doing well, that has also helped to make it a season to remember.
“I have really enjoyed the season. I came straight in for my debut at QPR and have taken things from there.”
Taylor has played his part in helping the club challenge at the right end of the table. “If you look at the expectation that was on us at the start, it’s been a really good season,” he added. “To get to 50 points with 12 games to go and then take our challenge for the play-offs to the last but one game was an achievement, but in the end we were disappointed not to make the play-offs.
“We were more than a match for those teams around us and if you look at the sides in the play-offs, I can’t think of one that is better than us.”
The Saddlers go into the summer with the core of the team already signed up for next season.
“Having stability always helps,” he went on. “It’s nice to have a good base on which we can build for next season. We’ve got some quality here and hopefully this will lead to success.
“For me personally, I’m going to take a few weeks off and play a bit of golf. It’s important to keep ticking over and look after yourself as well because you want to be able to come back firing on all cylinders and be ready to go because if not, you’re always playing catch-up.
“It looks like there are going to be some big clubs coming down into League One for next season, so we’re looking forward to the challenge.”