Dean Keates outlines how Walsall can improve

Last season, Keates began the campaign in charge of a Wrexham side that went on to break the club’s clean sheet record.

But this season he has watched as the Saddlers have continued to leak goals - with Bolton scoring five as they ruthlessly put Walsall to the sword in the FA Cup on Saturday.

And Keates says his players have to be more savvy, have more nous and be braver in order to keep the ball out the net.

“Players need to get in their slots quicker, the boss said.

“They have to be brave. You don’t want teams going through you. But if the ball goes out wide, you have to get out there quickly.

“Looking back at the goals at Bolton, there are one or two players who need to do a bit more. And that bit more is getting out there and blocking the cross.

“Whether it’s the full-back, the wide players – whoever you are – they have got to contribute more.”

Keates continued: “It’s game nous. You have to be a bit more savvy. We speak to them, we tell them, we pass on the information.

“You are at your most vulnerable when the ball goes dead.

“Be it a throw-in, a corner or a set-piece. You have to get into your slot and be switched on.

“My players aren’t getting into the slots quick enough, that was evident at Bolton.”

While Walsall will now work hard on the training ground to tighten up at the back, Keates refused to rule out signing new defenders this month and in the summer.

“That is a possibility and that is something that we are looking at going forward,” the boss said when asked if he was looking to bring in new defenders.

“But we have got a full week on the training ground now. There will be bits that have to be worked on this week.

“We will have to put the lads in game reality situations, they have to make better decisions.”