Young defender looks ahead to first FA Cup appearance...
It has been an encouraging start to life at the Banks's for young defender Kevin Toner.The Irishman has made 12 appearances at the heart of a Saddlers defence which has found some consistency in recent weeks and has benefited from the experience of Scott Laird and James O'Connor alongside him.
The 20-year old has grown in stature since arriving on loan from Aston Villa and ahead of his first experience of the FA Cup, the aggressive centre back has highlighted the competitive nature of football at this level.
“It’s important to win games, no matter what competition” Toner explained. “People have to put food on the table, and that’s what it’s about at the end of the day, it’s more about results than under-21 or under-23 football.
“It means you’re playing for big stakes, and if you do well you get your rewards.”
Jon Whitney’s side embark on their FA Cup adventure on Saturday against a Macclesfield Town side who currently sit in tenth place in the Vanarama Conference (3.00pm kick-off).
Toner is hoping to mark his FA Cup debut with a win, but he has urged his team mates to guard against complacency and be prepared for a tough cup tie.
“I’m excited to get going, he added. “It’ll be the first time playing in the competition and we know they will be a good team.
“People think because they are a league or two lower, you should automatically win two or three nil, but that’s never the case.
“You can’t be thinking that we’re going to walk all over them because it can come back and bite you.
“Sometimes it’s harder to get a lower team because they’re throwing everything they have at it but we’re going to be doing the exact same.
“You have to know that you’re going in to win the battle first then earn the right to play football.”