Erhun Oztumer: I've grown as a man at Walsall

The creative schemer has enjoyed an outstanding 18-months at the Banks's Stadium after opting to join the Saddlers from Peterborough in June last year.

Signed as a number 10, Oztumer has been deployed as an attacking midfielder as well as up front and on the wing by manager Jon Whitney.

And the 26-year-old, who has netted 22 goals in 63 appearances for the club, believes playing different roles has helped him improve as a player.

"It’s good to play in different positions," Oztumer said.

"I just want to help the team win wherever the gaffer puts me.

"My favourite position is centre-attacking mid, a no.10.

"But it’s always good to play in different positions – striker, left, right, centre-mid. The gaffer trusts me in different positions so it’s a good trait to have.

"I feel like I’m learning all the time and I’ve grown as a man. I’ve scored more goals than I have before.

"And I feel like a big part of the club so I’m really enjoying it."

Walsall tasted defeat at the Banks's Stadium for the first time this season on Saturday as Southend headed back to the south coast with a 1-0 victory.

In what was a frustrating afternoon for Whitney's men, the Shrimpers looked to shackle their opponents from the moment they took a 17th minute lead thorough Simon Cox.

And Oztumer felt he and his team mates underperformed on the day.

“It’s never good to lose at home especially when you are unbeaten," he said.

"They scored the goal and then killed the game. They stopped us creating any real chances.

"We knew what Southend were going to bring – energy, fight. I felt they wanted it a bit more than us.

"They won more first balls and second balls. Second half we were much better but maybe it was a bit too late.

"For me it was frustrating because I didn't get on the ball as much as I would have liked.

"There’s always going to be ‘those games’. But I’ve got to try and find a different way to get on the ball.

"Hopefully the next game I can influence more."