Express & Star

Neil Etheridge: Walsall will bounce back

Former Walsall goalkeeper Neil Etheridge believes the club are in a ‘rebuilding stage’ and will bounce back to League One in the near future – once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

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The Philippines international spent two years at the Banks’s Stadium between 2015-17 and was part of the team that lost in the League One play-offs in 2016 – before moving to Cardiff.

Following the club’s relegation to League Two last season, Etheridge is adamant that it’s just a phase and that the Saddlers will achieve promotion soon after football’s return.

“I still keep an eye on the results and it was very disappointing for them to get relegated into League Two,” he told the Express & Star.

“Like any club, sometimes you have to rebuild.

“I was there when maybe it reached its peak with the great players we had and even in my second year the club was rebuilding.

“It takes time to do that, it doesn’t happen overnight, you have to rebuild.

“All I believe is that Walsall are in a rebuilding stage and I have no doubt that they’ll be promoted sooner rather than later.”

Meanwhile, the 30-year-old insists that it is ‘disrespectful’ to label Walsall as a club that players use to earn other deals elsewhere.

However, he did conclude that his time with Walsall enabled him to learn and build as a player.

“There’s a great atmosphere within the club and the supporters, it’s very family orientated,” he added.

“I think it’s disrespectful to call it a stepping stone club, I know that’s the phrase that people tend to us.

“It’s a great club to be at to learn your trade and really excel, I always enjoyed my time there.”