Keates has seen his side struggle for form over recent weeks - losing each of their last five league outings - putting them at the foot of the form guide, and the gaffer believes that he and his squad have plenty to work on heading into the clash with the Bantams.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Dean said; "We’ve got a week on the training ground and it’s going to be a long week for the players. They need to give absolutely everything and there will be changes because what we have been doing hasn’t been working.
"Let’s not paper over anything. We are in horrendous form, we need to stabilise, find a result and build on it. There are 39 points to play for, before we know it there will be 36 so something has to be done before the Bradford game."
Last weekend's defeat to Coventry City saw a number of Saddlers players under-perform, especially those who had been calling for an opportunity in the side in the days and weeks before the trip to the Ricoh Arena. While Keates felt some didn’t show the commitment required, the boss refused to call them out publicly.
The gaffer added; "It’s a difficult question and I’m not going to come out and point fingers at individuals and start naming names. The names are names that will stay behind closed doors. I will keep that in the changing room.
"All I can do is protect and encourage the players as much as I can. They need some self-belief and they need to show some resilience. The players have to regroup and give something for this club.
"They have to earn every penny they are paid and represent the club to the best of their ability."