Keates, who has seen his side struggle for form over recent months, insisted that there is real competition for places and anyone who is believed to be under-performing could see their starting spot taken by another member of the recently strengthened squad.
The Saddlers have won just three of their last eighteen league outings and currently sit just three points and four places above the relegation zone, and, with just sixteen games remaining, each game takes on an increased level of importance.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Dean said; "It’s a massive period coming up – there’s no denying it, there is no smokescreen. All that we can do is stay united, we need the fans to stay behind us and keep backing us.
"We have competition for places now so there will be changes if players are not performing. If they don’t seem up to the battle that we are in, then they will find themselves out of the team.
"We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, no one is going to do us any favours, we have to look after ourselves. We’ve got 16 games left – and they are 16 massive games."