Jamille Matt eyes Walsall glory after career milestone
Jamille Matt might have hit a significant career milestone but the striker says celebrations can wait as he targets promotion with Walsall.
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The 35-year-old recently racked up 500 career appearances and was presented with a framed shirt, signed by the rest of the Saddlers squad, ahead of last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Bromley.
But while proud of the achievement Matt, who has scored 133 goals since making his professional debut with Kidderminster Harriers in 2010, says his focus is always on what is ahead.
“It’s a proud achievement but starting out in the game it is not something you really think of,” he said. “The dream is to become a professional and then to play as many games as possible at the highest level possible.
“I think once you are in it, you are always thinking what is next.
“I remember speaking to my family, my mom and dad, after I hit the 500 mark and they were very proud. But I was like: ‘Right, what is next?’ That is literally the way we think.
“As a footballer, that is how you must be. You have to try and live in the moment but if you don’t think about what is next, someone else will come along to nick your spot.
“You have to keep working hard, keeping yourself in the best condition to get more games and get more success.
“Another thing I said in the conversation with my mom and dad is whenever the time comes and I do hang my boots up, maybe I will reflect then. For the moment I am enjoying my football more than ever. So that is my focus.”
Matt, who won promotion from League Two with both Blackpool and Forest Green Rovers, rates Walsall’s squad among the strongest he’s ever played in and believes the potential is there to achieve something special this season.
The Saddlers sit second in the table and host League One Charlton today in the FA Cup second round.
He said: “We’ve been able to build over 18 months now. We have such a squad but we need to keep doing the right things.
“No-one talks about the great squad unless you go and achieve something. That is our focus, we want to achieve something to show how good this squad is. This is one of the strongest I have been involved in but we need to prove it.”
