Keates: Walsall have the spirit to beat the drop

The Saddlers travel to take on Scunthorpe today looking to kick-start what Keates is calling a “four game mini-season.”

Currently sat just two points above the relegation zone, Walsall are amongst the four teams bookmakers are tipping for the drop – with their odds shortening following defeat to AFC Wimbledon last weekend.

But Keates insists they have the team spirit needed to stay up.

“I have only been here a few weeks but you can see the lads are together,” the boss said.

“I think we showed that at Oldham where the lads defended for their lives in horrendous conditions.

“Individual errors cost us last weekend. There were still times against Wimbledon where we came under pressure and were putting bodies on the line.

“Individual errors cost us but all being well the players have taken on board the information we have shown them.

“They know what they need to do to be better and they have learnt from it.”

Meanwhile, Keates admitted that – like Walsall’s fans – he has been studying the table and the fixture list as the battle against the drop intensifies.

“You do look at the other fixtures and results – I’d be lying if I said I didn’t look,” the boss added

“But it’s in our hands. We have to take care of our own business and do what is right for us.

“We have got four fixtures and we have got to pick up the points that will keep us in League One.

“Consistency is key to everything.

“We have got a four-game mini-season and it’s in these massive games that we have to find a level of consistency that’s been missing all season.”