Saddlers left their mark on loan arrival...
WALSALL new-boy Matthew Pennington says his previous encounters against the Saddlers have always left him impressed.The 21-year old joined the club on a loan move from Everton on Thursday and admitted to being a fan of our style of play having lined up against the Saddlers on three previous occasions.
“I’ve played against Walsall a couple of times when I was out on loan at Tranmere and Coventry and they always impressed me with their style of play,” said Pennington. “The way they like to get the ball down and play attacking football seemed the perfect fit for me.
“I’m really looking forward to getting some games under my belt here. I’ve not played as many games as I would have liked this season but hopefully now is my chance to show what I can do and Walsall seems like a great club to come to.”
The highly rated youngster first went out on loan in January 2014 with then League One outfit Tranmere Rovers. Following an impressive 17-game stint in Birkenhead, the versatile defender made his debut for Coventry City, during his second spell away from Goodison Park, against the Saddlers in November of the same year.
Pennington went on to appear 25 times for the Sky Blues in a campaign in which he was named the clubs Young Player of the Season and says he has benefitted from his time away from his parent club.
“It’s been a great experience for me to have gone out on loan and develop my game by playing competitive matches week-in-week-out,” he added. “It’s what I love doing so I’m happy to be back out on loan again.
“All my loans have been at League One so far and it’s a competitive league.
“It’s strange how if you go on a run and win a few games you can be up the top and if you go on a bad run you can be down at the bottom. I know the demands of the league and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
“Everton have been great with me as well. I’ve been lucky enough to train with the first team this year and make my debut which is brilliant.
“Now I’m looking to get some more competitive games to keep improving and show Walsall and Everton what I can do.”
Pennington will link up with the squad for our Open Training and Family Fun Day on Monday morning.
The event is free entry with a host of activities both inside and outside the Banks's Stadium from 9:30am.