Taylor Allen continues to rise as Walsall’s headline act

Two goals in as many games to start the campaign underlined his new found importance to the team, while his assist for Jamille Matt’s header in the 4-0 crushing of Swindon emphasized the threat of his laser-like left footed deliveries.

Walsall craved creativity in the wake of Isaac Hutchinson’s departure and Allen’s attacking output over the course of the opening three games suggests he is capable of contributing at the top end of the pitch as well as at the back.

“You see the game in front you from the back as a left sider,” Allen noted.

“So there’s times when I can’t go and I have to stay back but there’s times when I can step forward, create overloads and help the lads going forward.

“When I have those chances, I just think about how can I produce something for the team? Whether that’s a cross or a shot, that’s how I look at it.”

His set piece prowess was showcased once again by his rocket of a free-kick at the County Ground and his propensity to venture forward into enemy territory has provided Walsall with an often deceptive attacking outlet.

The 23-year-old is already just one goal shy of last season’s tally (three) and he could become the first Walsall player to score in the opening three league games since Daryl Taylor in 2004 if he finds the net at Tranmere on Saturday.

But for all of his attacking quality, Allen will be equally pleased to have started the season with back-to-back clean sheets in League Two.

And since his mid-February introduction, the art of defending is an area that Allen has relished.

“One of my weaknesses was defensively so for me to work on that, play in that position and feel very confident there is down to my hard work,” he continued.

“I’ve just kept focusing on the things I’m not good at and always try to improve on them.”