George Dobson: Walsall are looking up

The 20-year-old etched his name into Saddlers folklore back in April when he netted against Northampton to effectively keep the club in the division.

Now though the midfielder is only looking up with the new campaign just around the corner.

And the ex-West Ham man sees no reason why the Saddlers can’t be competing at the top end of the division.

“We are confident we are going to be competing higher up the table,” Dobson said.

“We have got to go out there and prove to everyone in the league we are good enough to play at the top and in the top half.

“We aren’t going to be unrealistic, I’m not going to say we’re going to win promotion – we’re going to take each game as it comes.

“But I think it will be a league where anyone can beat anyone.

“I think there will be a couple of teams who are strong. The likes of Sunderland and Barnsley are massive clubs.

“But it’s all about getting momentum. If you can get the right balance within your team anyone can do anything, as Shrewsbury showed last year.”

Dobson admits his goal against Northampton has filled him with confidence ahead of the new campaign.

“I do feel more confident in myself,” he continued.

“A moment like that is going to bring that confidence to anyone’s game.

“I’ve watched it back a few times. It was a great moment for the club and for me it has made me go out there and enjoy my football that bit more.

“Since I have come back to Walsall, so many people have put their faith in me to play and I am loving playing football every week.

“For any player my age that is all you want to do and I am going to keep working hard in training to cement my place in the side again this season and really help the team.”