Ex-Saddler Keates in call to fans

Dean Keates today urged Walsall supporters to stick with the Saddlers' management duo despite their disappointing end to the season.

The former favourite returns to the Banks's Stadium with current club Wycombe on Monday hunting for a win to keep the Chairboys' League One survival hopes alive.

The Saddlers are in the relative comfort of 14th place and Keates has called on the Walsall faithful to back boss Chris Hutchings and assistant Martin O'Connor because they are the right men for the job.

"It's about patience. It's a young squad and I know Martin well so I know how Skip is and he wants to win," said the midfielder who played with O'Connor at Walsall.

"Fans pay for their opinions and they don't want to go and support a team who are going to finish in midtable, they are always hoping for something special but it's a competitive league this year.

"They've got a small squad but it wasn't long ago they weren't too far off the play-offs. "Their last few results haven't been the best but with the budget they've got they've done well and will finish in a comfortable position.

"I played with Martin a lot and although I haven't worked with him since he's been a coach I know he has that will to win."

And Keates is looking forward to returning to Walsall and says second bottom Wycombe still believe they can survive.

"It's the second time I've come back as I returned with Peterborough and it's always special," said the 31-year-old, who made 258 appearances for the Saddlers in two spells.

"We've got to keep the hope that we can stay up. We've had a decent run which has given us a chance. We've only lost once in our last eight games but we've drawn too many. We know we have to pick up some wins."