Walsall legend Ray Graydon: Dean Keates will get it right
Walsall legend Ray Graydon has backed Dean Keates to get it right in the transfer market as he continues to work to strengthen his squad.
Graydon will forever be remembered as one of the greatest managers in Saddlers history after he twice won promotion to what is now the Championship.
Despite Walsall's squad currently looking light on numbers, last week it was revealed Keates pulled the plug on a signing after the player went on to request more money despite initially agreeing to join.
And Graydon insists that decision shows Keates knows what is needed to take the club forward.
"I'm glad Deano called off that transfer – I'd have done exactly the same," Graydon said.
"There is a way to go about your business and if you agree to deal you are making a promise.
"Dean pulling the plug shows strength, he's shown what he is capable of.
"Building a successful team is not about one player. Walsall don't have a big budget and that means to have success you need to sign good players who are good people.
"Then it's all about bonding them together into a unit. It's a very tough job, it's not easy for Dean to sign players.
"But his standards are key it all. He has got to be strong in every area which he is proving to be.
"He needs to bring in players who will buy into what he wants. He needs them to be on time, he needs them to work hard and needs them to be willing to improve.
"What he doesn't need is them upsetting other people at the football club and breaking promises."
It was back in the 1998/99 season that Graydon first defied the odds to take Walsall into the Championship – with the Saddlers finishing second to Fulham but five points ahead of third placed Manchester City.
Before that historic campaign, the former boss had a mammoth task on his hands rebuilding the squad.
And he expects Keates to be making signings right up to deadline day.
"You've got to get the right characters in and that isn't easy in the lower leagues," Graydon continued.
"You have to try and build up a picture of what they are like, you need to get to know them.
"Before that 98/99 season, we were drip feeding players in. You can't get everyone in straight away.
"But from the bits and pieces I'm hearing, it seems Deano is going about his business the right way."
