Will Grigg returns to a former stomping ground this Saturday when the Dons take on Walsall at the Banks’s Stadium.
Grigg made 109 appearances for the Saddlers after joining them as a scholar in 2008 and the Northern Ireland international is relishing the opportunity to come up against his old side on the weekend.
“It’s always special going back to one of your former clubs,” he told MK Dons Player. “I had a brilliant time at Walsall and Dean Smith was massive for me. He’s a great guy and I respect him massively for what he’s done and how he helped me.
“I went there last season (with Brentford) and I got a bit of a mixed reception but that’s part and parcel of football – it’s something you’ve got to enjoy and I’m really looking forward to this one.”
The Dons arrive in the West Midlands just a week before Walsall’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final with Bristol City at Wembley Stadium, but Grigg doesn’t expect that forthcoming clash to affect them on Saturday.
“As a footballer you only look to that next game. That JPT game is going to be massive for them but they’ve still got a great chance to do something in the league, so I’m sure that won’t affect them at all and they’ll be just as ready as us for this game.”
While Grigg will be looking forward to seeing some familiar faces this weekend, he’ll also be eager to help the men from MK1 return to winning ways and reignite their push for a top two finish in Sky Bet League 1.
“We’ve had a very, very bad run but the strange thing is we’re still right in the mix and we’ve got to realise that sooner rather than later. If anything it’s given us confidence and if we put a little run together now then you never know what could happen.
“We’ve had time this week to look back at the recent games and see where we’ve gone wrong and what we’re doing okay. We’ve been able to work on things in training and we’ll be looking to put it right on Saturday.
“We’re still a good team because you don’t become a bad one overnight. We’ve gone back to basics, we’ve worked hard in training and hopefully we’ll get back to where we were.”
Tickets for the clash at Walsall are available to buy on matchday at the Banks's Stadium, priced at £22.50 for adults and £16.50 for over-60s and under-18s.
“It’s always special going back to one of your former clubs,” he told MK Dons Player. “I had a brilliant time at Walsall and Dean Smith was massive for me. He’s a great guy and I respect him massively for what he’s done and how he helped me.
“I went there last season (with Brentford) and I got a bit of a mixed reception but that’s part and parcel of football – it’s something you’ve got to enjoy and I’m really looking forward to this one.”
The Dons arrive in the West Midlands just a week before Walsall’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final with Bristol City at Wembley Stadium, but Grigg doesn’t expect that forthcoming clash to affect them on Saturday.
“As a footballer you only look to that next game. That JPT game is going to be massive for them but they’ve still got a great chance to do something in the league, so I’m sure that won’t affect them at all and they’ll be just as ready as us for this game.”
While Grigg will be looking forward to seeing some familiar faces this weekend, he’ll also be eager to help the men from MK1 return to winning ways and reignite their push for a top two finish in Sky Bet League 1.
“We’ve had a very, very bad run but the strange thing is we’re still right in the mix and we’ve got to realise that sooner rather than later. If anything it’s given us confidence and if we put a little run together now then you never know what could happen.
“We’ve had time this week to look back at the recent games and see where we’ve gone wrong and what we’re doing okay. We’ve been able to work on things in training and we’ll be looking to put it right on Saturday.
“We’re still a good team because you don’t become a bad one overnight. We’ve gone back to basics, we’ve worked hard in training and hopefully we’ll get back to where we were.”
Tickets for the clash at Walsall are available to buy on matchday at the Banks's Stadium, priced at £22.50 for adults and £16.50 for over-60s and under-18s.
