Dean Keates: Zeli Ismail will make amends for Walsall red card

The Saddlers secured their fourth win in a row at Spotland on Saturday - with Ismail netting the winning goal.

But the winger was later sent off for picking up two yellow cards. The first arrived after the 24-year-old kicked the ball away after being penalised for giving away a free-kick.

He was then harshly given a second yellow for handball in the 86th minute. But Keates says the winger will soon make-up for his error.

"The first yellow we will have a chat about – that’s where he needs to do better," Keates said.

" The second one – he’s a yard from the lad and the ricochet has hit him on the hand. One week it goes for you, one week it doesn’t.

"He was disappointed and he apologised to the lads – but he has nothing to apologise for.

“He scored the winning goal. Yes, his red card has made the last 10 minutes more difficult, but that’s what the lads are about – they made sure him going off the pitch didn’t affect the result.

“They had Zeli’s back. And there will be weeks where Zeli is going to perform and be the best player on the pitch – he might be the difference for us getting a 1-0 victory.

"And that’s when he will turn around and say ‘I’ve repaid you for what you did for me at Rochdale’."

Walsall's win at Spotland was their fifth in six matches with Keates's side still unbeaten in the new campaign.

But despite their outstanding start, the boss says the team's first target remains to collect 52 points – and secure their League One status – as quickly as possible.

"We are happy where we are, we have got off to a good start but that's all it is – a start," the boss added.

"As I said at the beginning of the season, the target was about making sure there was progression.

"It’s about getting to 52 points as quick as we can, if I’m honest, making sure this football club is not looking over its shoulder come March and April time.

"We are in a good place but there is a long, long way to go."