Liam Gordon credits 'close connection' with Walsall defender Taylor Allen for recent form

The pair both arrived at Bescot in the summer of 2022 and initially challenged each other for the left wing-back berth until Allen was converted into a left centre-back midway into Mat Sadler's debut campaign. 

Liam Gordon, who recently reached a century of appearances for the club, scored his first goal of the season with a vital equaliser during Walsall's 2-1 win over his former club Bolton Wanders at Bescot in the FA Cup first round on Saturday. 

Allen has played every minute for Walsall in League Two so far this season and has chipped in with three goals and two assists.

And Gordon insists that the confidence they share in each other has been key to recent performances down the left. 

"Me and Taylor arrived in the same year and we've always been close even under Michael Flynn when we were both wing-backs," Guyana international Gordon said.

"We still had that connection. Obviously we were battling for the position but we were still close in and out of football and that's what is showing on the pitch now. 

"He's playing centre-half behind me but I've got full confidence in him leaving him one-v-one and he has got the same with me. 

"We just have that connection and that's what it's got to be all over the park. We've got to have those personal relationships and connections to succeed."