Maik Taylor: "Nobody is Guaranteed a Start"

Newly-appointed goalkeeping coach Maik Taylor, who now forms part of the Saddlers' slowly growing backroom team, has spoken to club journalists and discussed his belief that competition in the squad will be key to a successful season under new manager Darrell Clarke.

With the Saddlers squad being pretty threadbare following a series of exits at the end of last season, fans can expect to see plenty of new faces arrive at Banks's Stadium between now and the start of the season, and 47-year-old Taylor wants everyone to fight for the right to be in the starting eleven, and says that once a player has earned their shirt, they mustn’t get complacent.

Speaking via the club's official website, Maik said; "I think competition, not just in the goalkeeping department but across the board is massively important. It is important that you don’t become complacent and rest on your laurels.

"Nobody is guaranteed a start and I think that is important, you have got to earn the right and if you start the season and the jersey is yours, then it is your responsibility and your chance to stay in the team and keep the jersey."