Walsall manager Dean Keates has spoken to the press ahead of this weekend's League One clash with Portsmouth, and discussed the importance of using the last week to get to know his squad as he looks to secure his hometown clubs status in the third tier of English football.
Dean, who was speaking via the Express & Star, also went on to admit that he is confident the club will remain in League One, but will have to be at their best to make sure of it, he said; "It’s been important for me to get to know the players individually. I wanted to get to know their characters and get to know them as a group. The break has worked very well in that respect. From what I have seen, I’m confident we will stay up.
"They are honest. They work hard. Sometimes you go into a football club and wonder whether they are fit – but they are very fit. I think maybe they are a little bit young. I think they have struggled on the leadership side.
"But all being well, I can give them a little bit of structure and confidence. I am confident the basics are there. I just need to get them organised. That is the minimum we can ask for at the moment."