Dean Keates: Walsall making January progress
Dean Keates insists progress is being made on the transfer front with the Walsall boss hopeful of adding to his squad next week.
The Saddlers host a resurgent Scunthorpe at the Banks’s Stadium tomorrow looking to end a run that has seen them fail to win in their last six outings.
With the team having conceded a staggering 17 goals in that spell, Keates is eager to further strengthen his squad this month.
And the 40-year-old is confident he is close to getting some deals over the line.
“There is progress,” Keates said.
“We need to add. We need to strengthen. All being well, in the next few days one or two could be added.
“We have got things out there but as it stands, January is a strange window.
“If you are looking at loans, everyone wants full recovery of the wages and if you are looking at permanent signings, you are being played off by agents.
“We are not always going to be the highest payers. But we can offer an opportunity to come and play.
“We are competing against other clubs for players and hopefully they make the right decision.
“We will do our business as quickly as we can and fingers crossed we are close to a couple.”
Scunthorpe’s visit marks the start of a crunch run of games that sees the Saddlers take on four teams all below them in the League One table.
And Keates admits it’s crucial Walsall get back to winning ways to ensure they are not dragged close to the bottom four.
“We are heading into a batch of games which is crucial to us as a club,” the boss continued.
“I would not say it is make-or-break but we have the chance to make our lives a lot easier.
“The alternative is to make it a lot harder. Scunthorpe will be difficult.
“You can see with the players they have added in the last few weeks the capabilities clubs have.
“For us, it is time to stand up and be counted. That goes for all of us, myself and the staff too.”
