Midfielder George Dobson has revealed that he is looking to build on the confidence that his winner against Northampton Town has given him heading into the new Sky Bet League One campaign.
The 20-year-old says there is belief among the players going into the new season and is hopeful that the club will be challenging at the right end of the table, unlike last year.
He said: “I’ve watched my goal back a few times, even with the Titanic music over it! It was a great moment for me and a great moment for the club as well.
“For me it was all about the relief of helping the team stay in the division. I feel we are now ready for the new season and even though the results haven’t been great so far for this pre-season, we have been working on things that we know are going to help us next season and I know that we will be ready for the Plymouth game.
“I feel more confident in myself and a moment like the goal I scored against Northampton is going to bring that confidence to anyone’s game and for me it has made me go out there and enjoy my football that bit more.
“Since I have come back to Walsall, so many people have put their faith in me to play and I am loving playing football at the moment.
“For any player my age that is all you want to do and I am going to keep working hard in training to cement my place in the team again this season and really help the team again.
“The last month of the season was very testing for us, from the Wimbledon game through to the Bradford City game where we secured our safety. It was a tough three weeks or so but we pulled through and we kept ourselves in the division and now it is about regrouping and giving it a good go this season.
“We need to make sure we aren’t going to be in that position again this season and we need to try and be fighting for things higher up the table.”
The youngster also talked about how high spirits were in the camp and that the players are looking forward to getting back to competitive football after a break.
He continued: “I had a very good break. We had a good six or seven weeks off. Everyone loves to have a break after the season but once you get to the last week or so you are ready to go again.
“Training has been very good since we have come back. Everyone is in good spirits despite the results in pre-season and we are all feeling confident heading into the season and we just want to get going.
“We are all just getting are fitness back up and trying to improve every day so that when we get to the Plymouth game we know that we are ready.”