Express & Star

Walsall's Shaun Donnellan slots in - thanks to Google

Shaun Donnellan admitted he Googled his new team-mates in a whirlwind 24 hours that saw him help Walsall earn their first win of the season.

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The 20-year-old was snapped up by the Saddlers on a six-month loan from Albion on Friday before being thrown straight into the side for the visit of Oldham.

A devastating second half display saw Jon Whitney’s side secure a 2-1 victory over the Latics – their first win of the 2017/18 campaign.

And the young defender felt the win was the perfect way to cap what he called a “crazy” few days. “It was a crazy 24 hours,” Donnellan said. “I only trained with the boys for about 45 minutes – we did a bit of shape work. But I didn’t even know everyone’s name. I was on the internet looking at Google on Friday night looking up all their names.

“I was looking up words like Goose because when I asked our left sided centre-half (Jon Guthrie) his name he just said call me Goose. But the boys were great. And then I was thrown straight into the team.

“But I think that is the best way because then it was up to me to put in a performance and I think I did alright.”

After a frustrating first-half, in which Oldham took the lead through Ryan McLaughlin, Walsall secured all three points thanks to goals from Joe Edwards and Erhun Oztumer on Saturday.

And Donnellan revealed it was strong words from boss Whitney that inspired the come-back and improved second-half display. “The gaffer told us some home truths at half-time,” the youngster continued. “He got into us and got that reaction out of us. Second half we had so many chances. We dominated and that’s how we’ve got to play. It was a desire thing and we played with more tempo. It was the first home game of the season and in the first half we were a bit nervous and apprehensive. But second half, we got our second wind.

“We dominated and absolutely destroyed them.