'Big season' - Loanee Ryan Finnigan feels he has a point to prove at Walsall
Walsall midfielder Ryan Finnigan says he feels he has "a lot to prove" during his loan spell at Bescot this season.
The 22-year-old has scored three goals and set-up one more in 17 appearances in all competitions since joining Walsall on loan from Blackpool in the summer.
Finnigan scored his first two league goals for the club during the Saddlers' 4-2 win at Newport County on November 8.
That performance saw him retain his place in the team, although he struggled to build on his brace in a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Colchester United on Saturday.
But Finnigan feels this is a "big season" for him, as he aims to consign a challenging 18 months to the past.
'It does feel like a big season for me'
He said: "The last year and half has been really challenging. I've struggled with injury, being out of favour, leaving Southampton and joining Blackpool.
"The challenges of being so far away and your football not going so great. I feel like I've got a lot to prove.
"I went to Crewe [on loan] and that was a good thing coming back to League Two because I wanted to show everyone how good I am.
"So when you're not really getting that opportunity, and not playing every game, it can be really challenging.
"But this is what it takes to play at this level. To have a good career, you've got to stay mentally strong and control what I can control.
"It does feel like a big season for me, I'm dying to do well.
"Every time I go out on the pitch, the message from the manager is to go and enjoy it.
"Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself and that kind of drives the enjoyment out of it.
"To play your best football, you need to be free, you need to enjoy it, and I'm certainly feeling that at the minute."
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