Andy Taylor: It's a squad effort at Walsall

The soaring Saddlers are currently second and will hit top spot if they beat Gillingham at the Banks's Stadium on Saturday.

That success has been built on manager Dean Smith tinkering with a host of different players and formations.

And that strength in depth is what Taylor believes makes Walsall genuine promotion contenders.

He said: "In seasons gone past we have been in games and struggled to break teams down – you look at the bench and, with the greatest respect, there wasn't too many options.

"Now you look at the bench and it's strong. There are several different options that are available to the manager to change to the game.

"He actually says that all the time in his team talks – it's not just the starting line-up that wins the game, it's the 18 players in the squad."

The increased competition for places at Walsall has been helped by the emergence of youngsters such as Rico Henry, Reece Flanagan and Kieron Morris.

And Taylor thinks it's great the younger players are keeping the older pros on their toes.

He added: "The young players have really stepped up. They are not in there to make up the numbers, they are in there on merit.

"I've been at the club for four seasons now. I saw them when the first stepped up and started training with us.

"They come to you as kids but the way they have taken the training on board and progressed is brilliant.

"As a senior player, they keep you on your toes. That competition for places is essential if you are going to have a successful side.

"If there is no competition for places, players get complacent. It's a ruthless game and a ruthless business, so it's healthy for people to put you under pressure."