The latest edition of Saddlers Shout will be available at Saturday's match against Crawley Town.
Supporters can pick up a copy around the ground, at the Club Shop or a the Ticket Office on matchday.
Saddlers midfielder Isaac Hutchinson sat down with us for an exclusive interview in Saddlers Shout.
Isaac, thanks for joining us. We’re well into the swing of the season now. How have you found your opening few months at the Poundland Bescot Stadium?
“I’ve enjoyed it. I said it a few times before, it’s been a seamless fit, bonding with all the boys and fitting in the group. I’m happy, I’m enjoying the football, being around the boys, the staff and it couldn’t have been easier settling in.”
You have played a lot of games and have helped the team get through a difficult run. Things seem to be ticking along nicely now, don’t they?
“It’s always nice to be playing and getting a run of games. I feel like off the back of that, I'm feeling fitter and more confident with every game. Thankfully, as a team, we came through that rocky patch and we’re looking like a really solid team. We’ve got something to build on for the coming games.
The team picked up a point and a clean sheet last time out away at Carlisle United. How do you feel that game went?
“Whenever you go to Carlisle, you know it’s going to be a tough game – it’s a tough place to play. They’re always going to be physical and make it hard for you and that was what the game was like. There wasn’t a lot of space and neither team had many chances but I think it shows where we’re at as a team in regards to we never really looked like conceding, we stayed in the game until the end and we were fighting and pushing. The most important thing was if we weren’t going to win the game, that we didn’t lose it and we came away with a point so those games are the ones where at the end of the season, that point could make the difference.”
You’ve played your part individually as well, chipping in with three goals and two assists so far this season. You had to be patient for your first goal but what was that feeling like when you opened your Saddlers account against AFC Wimbledon?
“It was a nice weight off my shoulders. It took a bit longer than I would have liked but once I got that goal, it gave me the confidence and the hunger to get more, try to get in the box more and try to get those tap ins and goals that will keep racking up the tally and ultimately, helping the team. I think the main thing was it took a bit of pressure off myself and made me hungry to try and get a few more.”
You’ve had quite an eventful journey in football since making your professional debut at Southend United in 2018. You got off to the perfect start on your Shrimpers debut with a goal. What was that moment like?
“That was a surreal day! I think I only trained with the first team a couple of times before that. It was within the first couple of months of being at Southend and luckily enough I got the opportunity to come on for the last 10 minutes against Cambridge and I think it was within 52 seconds that I’d scored which was unbelievable, I couldn’t even describe how I was feeling at the time, it was something special. That sort of kickstarted my career.”
It will be hard to find many more players who can say that they scored their first goal within a minute of their professional career…
“Exactly, I couldn’t really believe it. It’s something that I’m proud of and when I do look back and think about it properly, it is something I’m very fond of.”
Pick up a copy of Saddlers Shout for just £3 at Saturday's match to read the full interview with Isaac who also discusses his time at Derby County, working with Wayne Rooney and receiving an offer to play in Czech Republic.
