Sides switched for Walsall's Tom Bradshaw

He didn't score, was substituted midway through the second half and his team lost the game 3-0. What a difference a year makes.

Bradshaw, who tomorrow will play in a repeat of the same fixture, but for the other side

"That was a particularly low point for me, I didn't play well at all," recalls Bradshaw, who tomorrow will play in a repeat of the same fixture, but for the other side.

It has been almost exclusively high points since he made the decision this summer to swap the Shrews for the Saddlers.

In four short months he has become a vital piece of Dean Smith's side, perhaps even the most vital – his new club have not won a game without their seven-goal top scorer.

Little wonder he's loving life at the Banks's.

"This has been exactly the start I wanted," he says, when summing up the start to his career at the Banks's.

"Every time I have been fit, the gaffer has been starting me and it's those regular games that have helped me find this form. I'm over the moon with how things are going."

Bradshaw's claim earlier this week that he has become "bigger, faster and stronger" since joining the Saddlers has drawn some smiles at the Saddlers training ground.

"He's bigger, faster, stronger – and he makes a cracking cup of tea," joked manager Smith ahead of yesterday's pre-game press conference.

Yet Smith is deadly serious when he speaks of Bradshaw being a "breath of fresh air" since his summer move and the Saddlers chief makes no secret of the fact he and his staff are delighted with everything the 22-year-old has brought to the club.

A focused attitude would be high on that list and when speaking to Bradshaw, or watching him play, it becomes clear much of his recent success can simply be put down to hard work.

"I want to work hard every game I play," he says. "I just go out there and try to leave everything on the pitch, I'll always give 100 per cent. I'm hoping to get better, you can always improve as a player and I think as a team we are also starting to show what we can do."

Another secret to Bradshaw's success is strong family support – he recently revealed his dad and three uncles drove to Liechtenstein to see him play for Wales under-19s.

And those levels will be no better displayed than tomorrow, with several family members set to switch allegiance when Bradshaw faces his home-town club.

"My uncles have been Shrewsbury fans for years," he explains. "But they will be supporting Walsall on Saturday – they will always support the team I'm playing for.

"We are a close family and they would rather I did well. I do feel sorry for my younger cousin because he's been taken to Shrewsbury games and now Walsall. The support I get from my family is huge and well things aren't going so well its doubly as good.

"I know when I'm going through low points in my career they will always be there."