Walsall might be languishing in 16th position in League One and the defence have been on the receiving end of some harsh criticism from Paul Merson, but Craig Pead is delighted to be at the Bescot Stadium.
If Pead had hung around at the Ricoh Arena, there is every chance he could have finally carved out a niche for himself at Coventry, as injuries have decimated Micky Adams' Championship squad.
However, only 45 appearances in seven seasons with the Sky Blues had convinced Pead it was time to seek out pastures new and a loan spell under Merson last season became a permanent deal this summer.
* What do you think? Visit our messageboard and give us your opinion. *
The optimism of August is slowly ebbing away however, as Walsall are plummeting and a breathing space of only three points separates them from the dreaded relegation zone.
A planned demonstration among a minority of supporters ahead of tomorrow's crunch clash with Doncaster Rovers turns the screw even further on Merson and his stuttering team.
Former Albion goalkeeper Joe Murphy has been signed on loan from Sunderland and Ian Roper will be given his first start of the campaign in a bid to bolster a fragile back line that has managed to procure only two clean sheets all season.
Yet, despite all the perceived problems at Walsall, Pead is adamant he made the right decision to move six junctions up the M6 in the summer.
"I have no regrets about moving because I am so happy to be at Walsall and playing every week," said the 24-year-old.
"I wasn't playing at Coventry, so it was time for me to move on. Walsall has been brilliant, as they have given me a new lease of life, because I was in a bit of a rut at Coventry and I wasn't really happy.
"You become part of the furniture as you have been there for so long and people see you as a young lad treat you accordingly.
"It was nice for me to get away, start afresh at Walsall and be treated like a man and a professional."
Pead's is certainly the type of guy who sees his glass as being half-full rather than half-empty and is convinced the tide is starting to turn at Walsall. Defensively, the need to improve.
"When you look at our back four we have got very good defenders and good footballers, so the big factor is concentration," said Pead.
"We are a bit hot and cold at present but the ambition is still to aim for promotion.
"Anyone is capable of beating anyone else in this division and, if we can put three or four wins together, then we will be right in the frame.
"Just look at what happened to Sheffield Wednesday last season, as they only put a run together after Christmas and they are now in the Championship. I don't think anyone saw that coming."
