Chris Marsh: I can't wait to see Dean Keates make his mark at Walsall

In my column last week I tipped him as one of the front-runners. Not because he is a mate, but because he has got all the credentials to be a big success in the role.

Keates or Adi Viveash were always the leading candidates for me.

The board went for Keates – they even paid compensation – and now I can't wait to see him stamp his authority on this squad.

One of the big things he brings to the job is passion.

He is local lad from Beechdale, he absolutely loves the club and he has already got a great affinity with the fans – he actually is a fan.

He stood on the terraces at Fellows Park and at the Banks's so he knows just what the clubs means to the people and the town.

And I think he is now going to set out building a team that is really hard to beat and can bring the club success.

If one thing is for certain, it's that Keates will build a team that is defensively sound and I think he gets that from when he played under Chris Nicholl.

His clean sheet record at Wrexham really was outstanding. The Dragons had kept 20 in the league alone before his departure.

And I think that record will really get the current Walsall players thinking.

It's clear Keates knows how to organise a defence.

He also isn't afraid to make big decisions after he completely overhauled the Wrexham squad last summer.

If the players Keates has inherited don't do what is required of them over the next few months, make no mistake they will be on their way.

They need to impress or there could be a cull.

And I think it's a big boost for both Keatsey and Walsall that he has come in now.

He needs to get the two or three wins the Saddlers need to guarantee survival as quickly as possible.

But once he has he can really assess his squad and work on strengthening the areas he needs to improve.

He has a running start on next season already, which for me is fantastic.

Keates will get things right at Walsall, I'm sure of it. The fans need to play their part by being a bit patient and allowing him some time.

But they will. He is a local boy and an absolutely smashing lad.

We had some great times growing up. He is a winner – as his three promotions as a player show – and he has always been surrounded by winners.

Viveash, Andy Rammell, Jimmy Walker, Scott Houghton, Darren Wrack were all team-mates of his.

He has been in a lot of good dressing rooms with a lot of good players so while he is only 39-year-old, he is also experienced.

Now it's time for business in the dugout and I've got no doubt he will do an excellent.

It's an exciting time to be a Saddler again. And we can all look forward with optimism.

Finally, and on a lighter note, I'm delighted Walsall have finally got a new manager so my phone stops ringing.

You wouldn't believe who came out the woodwork last week moaning at me because I didn't link them with the job in my column.

I actually had three ex-Saddlers players on the phone asking to be mentioned, but I won't say who.

It's been a very busy few weeks but Keates has got it that's the most important thing.

Hopefully, now we can all enjoy a relatively calm end to the season and a bit of peace and quiet!