Keates Keen to Build Competitive Side Ahead of Tough Campaign Keates Keen to Build Competitive Side Ahead of Tough Campaign

Keates Keen to Build Competitive Side Ahead of Tough Campaign

Walsall manager Dean Keates has spoken to the local press and discussed the upcoming League One campaign, admitting that - given the potential budgets of some of the league's newcomers - 2018/19 may prove to be a tougher campaign than the last.
With clubs such as Sunderland and Coventry City entering the fray, the Saddlers are likely to be among the clubs with the lowest budgets in the league once again. And the gaffer is determined to build a side able to compete following a campaign which saw the side struggle towards the foot of the table.

The manager, who was speaking via the Express & Star, said; "It’s going to be very interesting. You look at the likes of ourselves, Accrington and AFC Wimbledon, it is fair to say Sunderland dwarf our budget. Then you’ve got Coventry coming up, having just taken 40,000 fans to Wembley. You would suspect they might kick on again.

"I think it makes the division stronger than it was last season. It is a tougher prospect. We have to make sure we are as competitive as we can be. All being well, I will be able to bring players in who improve the team and allow us to do that."

The Walsall-born former midfielder then went on to talk about the difficulty of working to a deadline,admitting that he needs to get things done quickly, he continued; "At Wrexham we were the only club in the National League Premier who had to operate in the international transfer window, due to being located in Wales. Ideally you want to get your business done as quickly as you can but it is not always possible."
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