Walsall's keeper Neil Etheridge vows to keep getting better

The Philippines international has began the 2016/17 campaign in outstanding form and was named man of the match as the Saddlers secured victory over Bolton on Saturday.

Snapped up from Charlton a year ago, Etheridge arrived at Walsall with more international caps than club appearances to his name. And the 26-year-old, who began his career at Chelsea before moving to Fulham and then the Addicks, believes he has improved a lot since moving to the Banks's.

"I was very fortunate to be at a Premier League club at a young age," Etheridge said. "But until you play first-team football in the league, you don't realise how much you gain from it and how much you can improve.

"It's not just experience, it's positioning, your kicking, cross-taking.

"I believe I have improved and I'm determined to keep moving in the right direction."

Etheridge made a number of impressive saves against the Trotters with one in particular labelled 'world class' by Bolton boss Phil Parkinson.

But the glovesman didn't feel he deserved to be singled out for praise – and instead hailed his team-mates for securing the victory despite Joe Edwards being sent off early on.

"Bolton was a fantastic performance especially as we went down to 10 men so early in the game," Etheridge said.

"It said a lot about our character and a lot about the work we have been doing on the training ground.

"For me it was great to get a clean sheet but my job is to keep the ball out of the net.

"We all deserved credit, myself, the players the management.

"Now for me, the target is to maintain the levels I have set for the rest of the season and get even better.

"If I play well it will help the team move up the table and that is what we are all working hard for.

"Bolton was a fantastic three points but the games come thick and fast and Peterborough is now our focus because that will be an extremely hard game as well."