Leigh Pomlett urges Matthew Taylor to 'shake things up' at Walsall

Taylor, 39, has moved to the Banks’s Stadium from Tottenham Hotspur’s youth set-up. And Pomlett is looking for him to leave his mark on the club.

“I have spent a number of hours talking with Matt in recent days and he meets the profile of the head coach I am seeking for Walsall Football Club,” said Pomlett. “Coupled with Neil McDonald and working closely with Jamie Fullarton (technical director), we now have the right set-up to drive the Walsall football agenda forward.

“I do not want more of the same and I am looking for a significant shake-up of the club and believe this is the right team to do it. I welcome Matthew to the club and look forward to his impact.”

Fullarton was tasked with finding the new head coach, and said: “During a thorough recruitment process undertook, Matthew was our stand-out candidate and was our number one target for the role.”

“He has a clear defined vision and detailed plan along with the skill-set and character to drive the club forward in a direction that aligns with the club’s strategy. I am really looking forward to working with Matthew, who will no doubt have a major impact and will create a genuine feeling of optimism among everyone involved with the football club for the coming season.”

Taylor – who came through the ranks at Luton Town to establish himself as a player there – played in the Premier League for Portsmouth, West Ham, Bolton and Burnley.

Famed for being the scorer of spectacular long-range goals – including a goal-of-the-month winner for Portsmouth against Sunderland in October 2005 – Taylor had a brief spell as Swindon interim boss before moving into coaching with the Robins and then Spurs.

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