Straight-talker Dean Keates makes an early mark at Walsall

When you’re a cult hero returning to the club where you won three promotions – it’s perhaps not quite so crucial.

Nevertheless, Dean Keates still put on an impressive display at his official unveiling as Walsall manager.

To quote the man himself, his appointment really is ‘Roy of the Rovers’ stuff.

The 39-year-old grew up in a house just two miles from the ground. He stood on the terraces at Fellows Park before then roaring on the team at the Banks’s. And after a glittering playing career that saw him win promotion with the Saddlers in 1999, 2001 and 2007, he’s now back as boss.

“It’s great to be home,” he said while meeting the media for the first time yesterday. “It feels amazing. I grew up supporting the club. I achieved great things in my playing days here.

“It’s a great honour to be manager. But, ultimately, I’m accountable for everything now so the hard work is just starting.

“I need to make sure the club is stable and is a League One team next season.

“After that, we will put some building blocks in place to take it forward.”

Keates was the unanimous choice of the Walsall board to be the man who replaced the sacked Jon Whitney.

His achievements transforming a Wrexham side in danger of relegation into a team who are now in the thick of a promotion race put him top of the shortlist compiled by owner Jeff Bonser.

But there is no doubt the boss is aware just how disenchanted fans had become with the club while Whitney was in charge.

And he was clear he believes a big part of his role is getting the community to believe in Walsall once again.

“I’m asking fans to buy back into this football club and to get behind us going forward,” Keates continued,

“I want the supporters to unite, come together and give the place an atmosphere like I know it can be.

“I used to walk out here and be able to find an extra 10-15 per cent because of our fans. All being well, the supporters can really get behind the players, starting tomorrow night against Wigan, let’s start then.”

Arguably the most striking thing about Keates at his unveiling was the honest and frank way he answered questions.

The new boss made no apologies for stating that survival is the only aim for the rest of the season.

That view is in stark contrast to his predecessor Whitney, who often insisted Walsall were only looking up. As it currently stands Walsall are five points above the relegation zone. If Whitney was still at the helm, he would be quick to point out they are just six points from 10th.

Keates, though, is more of a realist.

“It’s tight down the bottom – there are still a lot of teams involved,” he said.

“Let’s not kid ourselves, we need to be looking over our shoulder.

“The first aim has to be to make sure we are a League One team next season.

“There are nine games left and it is a minimum of eight points I will be looking at to make sure we get to that 52-point cut-off.

“Then you’d like to think you are safe.

“Medium term, we need to build something and get the whole town to buy into the football club again. And then we can go from there.”

There is no doubt Keates is a manager who isn’t afraid to make big calls.

After doing a sterling job in guiding Wrexham to a mid-table finish in the 2016/17 season, he ripped up that team to build the one currently fourth in the National League.

And it’s clear Walsall’s current players will have to impress him if they want their long-term future to be at the club.

“The players need to show commitment and they need to buy into what I want to do with the football club,” Keates declared.

“From what I have seen, they are bright and sharp. That is a good start.

“But long-term they need to show that on the pitch not on the training ground.”

Perhaps the best indication to Keates the man came when he was asked about legends returning to their former clubs.

“I wouldn’t call myself a legend,” he said despite his three promotions.

“I think the word is used loosely nowadays. I achieved good things here but I was part of great teams.”

A great team. That is now what Keates will set out to build if/when League One status is guaranteed.

It’s common knowledge that his Wrexham side was built from a solid base – with the team having registered a club record 20 clean sheets this season.

Dragons’ players knew exactly what was expected of them. And very quickly, Walsall’s players will know the same.

More than an hour after stepping into the room – and having spent time with the television, radio and written media – Keates had achieved what he had set out to do in his first public outing as Walsall boss.

He was personable, honest and straight-talking. But he also made it clear he knows what the club needs on and off the field.

He also has a short, mid and long term plan as to how that will be achieved.

Dean Keates has returned home.

And you got the sense it won’t be long before he is again part of a team making Walsall proud.