Walsall defender primed for potential chance
Walsall defender Joe Foulkes insists the recent emergence of defensive pair Emmanuel Adegboyega and Taylor Allen has increased his belief that he can seize his chance in the team.
Foulkes, who spent the two previous seasons on loan at Kidderminster Harriers, made seven league appearances before the end of November, but clocked just four minutes across the 17 matches prior to Walsall’s 2-0 defeat at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.
He was Walsall’s stand-out player on a difficult afternoon after replacing the injured Tom Knowles in the 16th minute.
It’s unclear how severe Knowles’ ankle injury is but Foulkes could be poised for a run in the side.
Meanwhile, Adegboyega has netted three times in six matches since making his debut from the bench in a 2-1 win over Mansfield Town last month, whilst Allen has enjoyed a run of six successive starts having previously not started in the league since October.
And Foulkes believes that having those physical examples has helped increase his confidence that he can stake a claim too.
He said: “Seeing the players on the pitch when they come in has definitely given me the confidence to go and express myself a little bit more.
“Manny (Adegboyega) has scored a few goals and Taylor (Allen) has done well. It does give you confidence and it makes you believe that you can do the same things.
“When I come on, I just feel like you have to take your chance and I just did everything in my power to do that.
“The players that are seen as the back-up players maybe like myself. We’re just trying to impress, we’re trying to improve everyday and trying to take information on from the coaches and the more experienced players.
“It’s the hunger and the mindset of the players that you have to be ready at all times to try and work your way back into the team and help the team.”
Foulkes produced an impressive individual performance and feels that his focused mindset has been key to his strong return.
He continued: “I think personally (keeping match fit when not playing) is the easiest part.
“It’s the mindset that you have when your not in the team because if you don’t have the right mindset and your chance does end up coming then you could find yourself not being ready.
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