Saddlers Social: Walsall fans have their say

Richard Kendrick

Well well well, who would have thought we would start like this? Four wins and one draw is a superb return compared to last year.

The commentary from Tuesday’s win described it as a ‘strong’ and ‘professional’ performance, and there haven’t been many of those over the last two years.

All reports suggest the players looks hungry and driven, qualities that come directly from the manager’s locker.

Then, to top off the league form we’ve actually won a cup game.

The Walsall team of the last regime would never have gone away to Tranmere and won, they were way too fragile and lacklustre to do that, but this one did; with ease.

Recruitment also seems to have been spot on and it’s clear that players are being coached and prepared in ways that clearly weren’t happening last season.

What a difference a summer makes!

Dan Gilbert

What a start. It was a different type of win at AFC Wimbledon.

We had to dig deep, but for all of the excitement with our start, I hope we can now bring in a loan or two of quality before the deadline.

An injury in central defence and we'll struggle to cope, so hopefully we bring in a bit of back up in that area.

Talking of the defence, a special mention to Luke Leahy too. I criticised him a lot last season but he's a different player under Dean Keates.

It just shows that when fans call for a managers head, the old excuse of "he isn't the one out there on the pitch" isn't always right.

Credit to Keates who has completely got Leahy and Josh Ginnelly on the same wavelength.

I couldn't be happier to say Leahy has proven me wrong and under the right man, he is more than capable at this level.

He was my man of the match at Wimbledon, long may it continue!

Nick Etheridge

Pride, passion, work ethic. All words associated with the previous regime that I'm sure none of us needs reminding of.

Add to that mix leadership, talent and togetherness, however, and it appears that's the basis of a team that can at the very least compete.

Dean Keates has assembled a squad of round pegs for round holes, given them a clear game plan and most importantly, sold them a philosophy that they have all bought in to.

It would be easy to write about the gem that is Morgan Ferrier, the return of flying wingers or the growth in stature of George Dobson, but it would be to the detriment of the rest of the team.

The current version of the Saddlers represents a whole that is even better than the sum of its parts.

All of the players, who last season would have been isolated, are suddenly backed up by another couple of red shirts, all willing to throw their body in the way of anything going towards our goal.

When we get the ball, we go forward with the same purpose we applied when winning it.

No matter where this season takes us, if the players continue to show these kinds of traits then they will have the full backing of current and returning fans.

Kevin Paddock

Can someone pinch me? We are five games into the new season and still unbeaten.

A squad which got the taste of defeat under Jon Whitney has now become a side which looks unstoppable.

That is down to one man and one man alone - The Beechdale Guardiola - Dean Keates.

Now it’s still very early but how quickly Keates has turned this around is simply phenomenal.

The boyhood hero that scored the League Two title-winning goal has now managed to salvage a club on its knees and finally installing love and pride back into the club. It really is Roy Of The Rovers stuff!

One thing that’s impressed me most is we have had to win differently in all our games.

Opening day nerves against Plymouth, flair against Gillingham and won ugly against Wimbledon - all the signs of a very good side.

This is a team that deserves your support and backing.

If you have any gripes against the owner put them to one side and get yourself back to Bescot to watch a Saddlers outfit we really can be proud of.