Neil Etheridge: I owe it all to my time at Walsall

His two years with the Saddlers ignited his career and in his own words: "I don't think I would have achieved what I've been able to achieve if I wasn't given the opportunity by Walsall, Neil Cutler and Dean Smith."

Starting out in the youth set ups at Chelsea and then Fulham, Etheridge was sent out by the latter on a handful of loans.

After unsuccessful temporary moves, the shot-stopper was released by Fulham in 2014 and he joined League One Oldham on a two-month deal. Etheridge featured once for them before moving to Championship side Charlton and playing five times.

In the summer of 2015 he found himself again without a club and that's when Walsall came calling.

"My time before signing at Walsall was very varied, very up and down," Etheridge said.

"I went to meet Dean Smith and Neil Cutler before I signed and I think Cuts had done his homework on me and as a club they took a punt on me.

"I was very thankful for them for doing so – I was a bit of an uncut gem.

"At the time, I was just happy to have something in regards to a football contract.

"There wasn't too much progression from Oldham to Charlton and then out of contract and Walsall was a massive opportunity for me after seeing the dark side of football.

"I had a fantastic time at Walsall, I really did.

"My career was re-started and rejuvenated and I'm very thankful to the club and management for giving me that opportunity."

Etheridge was 25-years-old when he joined the Saddlers and after struggling for game time up to that point, he found himself as the first choice goalkeeper.

In a successful campaign that saw the club reach the League One play-offs – under three managers, Smith, Sean O'Driscoll and Jon Whitney – Etheridge made 50 appearances in all competitions.

"There were big shoes to fill once Richard O'Donnell left, a very good goalkeeper and a fan favourite," he added.

"I had great competition with Craig MacGillivray and I was looking forward to the opportunity to prove myself and play week in, week out.

"We were very lucky with the group that Dean Smith created at the start of the season, it was a real tight-nit group which would do anything to get the three points.

"We went on a fantastic run that put us high up in the table and when Dean Smith decided to move on and Sean O'Driscoll came in, there was an expectation to finish inside that top six.

"Sean came in and the results weren't devastating but at the same time they weren't a win every week, so obviously something had to change.

"It was a tough season going through three managers but ultimately we did very well and we were very unfortunate to just miss out on the automatic spots."

In the end Walsall finished third, one point off automatic promotion and Burton Albion and three points off title winners Wigan.

They faced Barnsley who made the play-offs in sixth place by goal difference and despite earning 10 league points more than them, the Saddlers were knocked out 6-1 on aggregate over the two legs.

"It was disappointing. The boys in our squad performed outstandingly well and we probably exceeded any expectation that was put on us at the start of the season," Etheridge added.

"We were pipped to the post at the final stage and Barnsley had momentum through the roof.

"You see that a lot in football, the momentum taking you into the play-offs can really play a major factor in the two semi-final games."

The goalkeeper was a mainstay in the following season too, making 43 appearances overall, before leaving for Cardiff in May 2017.

Now 30-years-old, Etheridge looks back on his two years at Walsall as the catalyst for a successful career that has seen him go on to play in the Premier League with the Welsh side.

For him, the influence of his Saddlers goalkeeping coach Cutler was huge and he insists that he still cherishes his time in the Black Country.

"He (Cutler) took me to another level and didn't only give me playing time, but coached me on a day-to-day basis.

"His attention to detail is phenomenal and he wanted the best out of me as a player and as a person – a fantastic coach.

"He pushed me every day, we were learning together. My ideas and his ideas, trying new things, we were experimental in the goalkeeping department.

"He'd never point the blame at me, he'd always try to improve me, so I have a massive respect for him.

"I loved every moment of my time at the club, I felt really welcomed by the club and supporters.

"That club will live long in my memory.

"It was a fantastic bunch of players that I got to play with and the supporters would come out in full voice week in, week out.

"I was very fortunate to play for Walsall."