Walsall midfielder Danny Guthrie has revealed he had offers to play in League One before joining the Saddlers in the summer.
The experienced midfielder played a key role in Walsall’s opening day win at Northampton Town last week.
Guthrie was impressed by manager Darrell Clarke after talks with the Walsall boss and hopes he can use his experience to the benefit of the team this season.
“I spoke to the manager a couple of times on the phone and he said come in to train with the boys,” said Guthrie.
“I had a couple of other options, even in League One, but once I came here and integrated with the group, it sold it to me and I’ve not looked back since.
“When I arrived, it was a really young group, obviously the manager’s added to that since me but it was a really young group.
“I’ve got good experience and good composure which will help in games like we had on Saturday and also home games where it might be 0-0 after 60 minutes.
“I’m 32 and I’ve still got a few games in me so the experience will benefit the group.”
The club’s ambitions were also pivotal in Guthrie’s decision to move to Banks’s Stadium and has already seen plenty of hunger in the squad.
“We’ve got an obvious ambition to get out of this league and without piling any pressure on us, we’re just going to take it a game at a time,” he commented.
“There is a real hunger in the group and it’s a young, ambitious group and I’m sure some of the lads will want to get to the top.”
Guthrie is looking forward to playing his first league game in front of the Saddlers faithful at the Banks’s Stadium against Forest Green Rovers tomorrow.
He is keen to give Walsall fans something to shout about and stressed the importance of a good relationship between players and supporters.
“The club suffered relegation which is horrible for everyone involved so we need to get the fans on our side and have a real connection,” he said.
“There’s going to be times at home where we might not be playing well or we might be 1-0 down or 0-0 after 70 minutes which is where the home fans can come and help us.
“We need to have a good bond and we’re going to need them.
“From the last 20 minutes last week, which was tough, you could hear them at the far end behind the goal, pulling us over the line.
“I’ve played in teams where there’s a disconnect and it’s not easy for a player.
“It’s on tenterhooks, one mistake and you can feel the ground coming in on you and it’s not nice so it’s up to us to give them something to shout about on Saturday.”