Walsall forward Douglas James-Taylor is keen to take the positives from Tuesday night’s performance into this weekend’s game against Gillingham.
The Saddlers came from behind to draw against Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Trophy but lost the subsequent penalty shootout 4-2 as the visitors claimed the extra bonus point.
James-Taylor feels the team need to start on the front foot but insists they can take some encouragement from the second half performance in midweek when they host Gillingham on Saturday.
“We needed a reaction from Saturday, I think in the second half (on Tuesday) we reacted and did what we should be doing,” he said.
“If we’d have done what we did second half, as a team, we would have got a lot out of that game and that’s what we need to take. We need to take that desire to be on the front foot, press hard, go straight away, go as a team and if we do that from minute one then we’re flying.
“We need to take the positives (from Tuesday) and take it into Saturday.”
James-Taylor started for the third time this season on Tuesday evening.
There is strong competition for places in the forward areas but the 21-year-old is spurred on by the added competition.
Versatility is also key when fighting for your place and having found himself featuring in a wide position during the draw with Forest Green, James-Taylor showed he can mix up his game and was happy to play in a different position.
“I enjoyed it,” he commented.
“I played there before when I was younger. I like it there, I feel like you can get a different dimension to your forward runs, the way that you’re attacking the ball, coming at it from a different angle so I like it there.
“The competition is healthy competition and that is exactly what will push all of us on, keep all of us on our toes and when we get that opportunity, we need to take it.”
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