Walsall loan signing Andrew Davies has revealed his desperation to reignite his career at the Banks’s Stadium after taking a swipe at Stoke manager Tony Pulis.
The defender is primed for a Saddlers debut against Exeter tomorrow, after temporarily ending his Potters nightmare with a loan move this week.
Davies had been frozen out at the Britannia Stadium, after making just four appearances in two years since a £1.2million move from Southampton.
The 25-year-old was not named in Stoke’s 25-man Premier League squad and suffered the indignity of Mamady Sidibe – who is out for the whole season with a torn Achilles – being included ahead of him.
Loan moves to Preston and Sheffield United last year only made it harder to return to the sidelines at Stoke and Davies felt let down.
He said: “When I came from Southampton I was injured and I didn’t really get the support I would have liked.
“I felt I was being punished in my second season for not being fit in the first year. He actually signed me when I was injured and then when I got to the club I wasn’t in his plans straight away so it was hard.
“I had a knee injury which is now absolutely fine and I just needed support – which I didn’t get.
“I was getting sick of sitting around at Stoke just knowing what I can do on a football pitch.
“Having to train with the young kids, I was thinking, ‘I’ve got to get myself out there again, start playing football and just enjoying myself’ because at Stoke I wasn’t doing that at all.”
Davies’ determination and enthusiasm to play is evident and jumped at the chance to join the rock-bottom Saddlers because of manager Chris Hutchings’ personal touch.
He said: “I’ve had clubs who have got in touch with someone, then in touch with someone else to get back to me but if someone really wants you they ring you. That’s what happened here and that’s why I came.
“It’s just about feeling wanted. Obviously I’ve been at good clubs with good managers like Gareth Southgate and Steve McClaren and they all made me feel welcome.
“That’s when they get the best out of the players, when the man management skills are the best.
“That’s a big part in why I came here because even just hearing that you’re wanted is good.
“I had heard about where the manger had been and I spoke to a few people who knew him. They all said that he was a really good manager and was good one-to-one with players.
“He has been really good to me and the lads have been really welcoming, so I’m just looking forward to getting started.
“It was an easy decision.”
The former Middlesbrough defender is now charged – along with Martin Devaney after the winger joined on a month’s loan from Barnsley yesterday – with helping the Saddlers off the bottom of League One.
They are winless in seven but Davies already knows the club can recover.
He said: “We’ve got some experienced players in the team so if we all gel together and get some results then things will change.
“I love playing football. I’ve missed playing at Stoke so I’m looking at this as an opportunity to challenge myself.
“I know I’m coming down two leagues but I just want to play football, because it’s what I love doing.
“Hopefully I can bring a bit of enthusiasm and enjoy the game again. It just takes a couple of decent results to change things around.
“If we lose we’ll stick together.”