Jimmy Walker: Matt Taylor fits the bill for Walsall

Since Darrell Clarke departed the Saddlers hierarchy have been keen for an up-and-coming coach to partner the new technical director.

After Brian Dutton fell short Taylor was brought in and former goalkeeper Walker believes he ticks all the boxes the club were after.

He said: “I know it doesn’t go a long way for coaching, but what a fantastic player he was. What a playing career he’s had.

“He’s worked with a lot of top managers and top players.

“Towards the end of my career when I thought about coaching, you start to take stock and notice more. He’ll definitely have that side of the experience with him.

“He’s done the under-18s and has built up a little bit of experience. It’s a tough one when you haven’t done league football, which is very different.

“For a manager, it’s about making subs at the right time. The in-game play comes from experience, which is very different. It’s a tough job.

“But he fits the narrative of what the club was going for. They’ve brought a director of football in, which is a really big step for the club if it’s done right.

“They made some good noise on how he can help run the club, the philosophy and playing style. It fits the narrative of that.

“There were a lot of names around, which may have been right for the club at another time, but if you’re going down this route then those names wouldn’t have been right. Taylor fits the bill on that.”