Dean Keates: "It's Going to be a Difficult Game"

Walsall manager Dean Keates has spoken to club journalists ahead of this afternoon's League One clash with 18th placed Bristol Rovers, and insisted that he expects the Pirates to pose a threat, despite their early-season struggles.

Keates, who has seen his side struggle to convert several goal-scoring chances over the last few weeks, admitted that Rovers have been a bit indifferent as of late but shouldn't be taken lightly, especially when they have a rapturous crowd behind them.

Dean, who was speaking via the club's official website - Saddlers.co.uk - said; "They have been a bit indifferent. They would have wanted a better start than they have had but it is going to be a difficult game for us.

"They have tinkered with their shape in the last couple of games coming into this one. It is going to be a difficult game. It was always difficult to play down there when I did. It is a hostile atmosphere but it is something that we can look forward to.

"From when I played, it was always somewhere I used to look forward to going to, the fans get right behind them. I think we can use that as part of our game plan."