Dean Keates delighted with Walsall reaction
Walsall boss Dean Keates was delighted with the reaction of his players after they responded to their loss against Doncaster by beating Oxford.
The Saddlers tasted defeat for the first time in League One last weekend when they were beaten on home turf by Grant McCann’s Rovers.
But they responded in style with a professional display at the Kassam Stadium seeing them earn a 2-1 win.
Goals from Morgan Ferrier and Zeli Ismail sealed the points - with Keates delighted to see his side return to winnings.
“I feel it was a deserved win - I asked for a reaction from last weekend and the lads did well,” Keates said.
“Doncaster was the first defeat in the league and on Monday the lads were very low.
“But that is now a bad thing. We built them back up and by the end of the week they had smiles on their faces again.
“So we’re delighted. We had a good week’s training and then went out a got a deserved win.”
After Ferrier’s opener, the striker was denied a second goal when - after Josh Gordon hit the post - he reacted to head against the bar and over the line.
But referee Alan Young couldn’t be certain the ball crossed the line so instead waved play on.
“If you asked all the Oxford fans they would say he is offside but he isn’t - he’s a yard and a half onside,” Keates said when describing Ferrier’s opener.
“He (Ferrier) is then unlucky with a header but things even themselves out over the course of a season.
“Josh Gordon has had a great shot and hit the inside of the post. Morgan has reacted as quick as he can. He’s hit it, it’s hit the crossbar and looking back over the clips it’s a foot over the line.”
Walsall managed the game expertly until the 87th minute when Karl Henry prodded in to give the U’s hope they could snatch something from the game.
Karl Robsinson’s side then appealed for a penalty in stoppge time when Rob Dickie collided with Jack Fitzwater.
But Keates said the referee got that call right.
“Your heart goes into your mouth because you never know what decision the referee is going to make,” he added.
“But speaking to Jack, Jack is an honest lad and he said it’s him who has been pulled back and they have both gone down.
“One week it might go against us. Luke Leahy last week, at the time I thought that was a stonewall penalty. Watching it back the kid jumps into him.
“Last week it went against us, today it went for us.”
