Dean Keates: Walsall not scared
Dean Keates says building an environment in which players aren’t scared to perform has been key to Walsall’s impressive start to the season.
The Saddlers kicked off the 2018/19 campaign with victory against Plymouth and then put in an outstanding display on Saturday when holding Scunthorpe to a 1-1 draw.
That performance was a world away from the one they put in against the Iron at Glanford Park towards the end of the last season.
But while Keates is pleased with the start his team has made, he isn’t getting ahead of himself. “What happened last season, happened last season,” the boss said.
“It was about building the right culture and environment for players to come in and not be scared to play.
“It’s about playing on the front foot and being bright.
“Some of them are young, but they are enthusiastic and they have got desire.
“That is what I want at the club. We went to Scunthorpe, who are going to be right in the mix for a place in the top-six, and we’ve come away disappointed not to have won.
“It’s only the second game of the season so we won’t be getting carried away. But the lads played on the front-foot and I think the fans will be proud of the team and pleased.”
Keates says building a team supporters can be proud of is his number one as aim as manager.
And he says all Saddlers fans have a massive role to play if the team is to be successful.
“For me, it’s about bringing the fans back and building a bridge between the football club and the fans,” Keates continued.
“We want to give the town a football club.
“And we need our fans because it’s a young bunch.”
