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Walsall vs Wigan: Dean Keates urges Saddlers to enjoy the test

Dean Keates has told his players to be confident and enjoy themselves as he looks to make a winning start as Walsall boss.

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The Saddlers welcome promotion-chasing Wigan to the Banks’s Stadium tonight for what is Keates’ first game as manager since he replaced the sacked Jon Whitney.

Paul Cook’s men arrive sitting third in the table with the Latics currently battling with Blackburn and Shrewsbury to be crowned champions of League One.

Walsall meanwhile sit 17th in the division, just five points above the relegation zone.

Wigan obviously enter the clash as favourites but Keates feels that will benefit his side with the team then enjoying a break from action after this weekend’s clash with Oldham was postponed due to international call-ups.

“We’ve got a nice easy game to start,” the boss joked. “No, obviously, it’s a tough test and, in a way, it’s quite good because all the pressure is going to be on Wigan.

“If we’re entirely honest, they are going to be expected to come here and win. All the expectation is on them. So we need to go out and enjoy ourselves and try to send the fans home happy.

“We want to put smiles back on the faces of people that come through the door. Obviously, after that, we have got a bit of a break and that will give me chance to get to know the players properly and get my ideas across to them.”

Keates was officially announced as Walsall’s manager last Friday.

And after taking training on Monday he says confidence and a bit of know-how is what he wants to install into the team for the final nine games of the season.

“From seeing them early on it’s a very young squad,” he continued. “Hopefully I can add to that a bit of know-how, drawing on my experiences at the football club.

“I want to give them some confidence. I think that’s the main thing – I want to give them confidence for these remaining nine games. All being well, they can get some points on the board and then we can stop looking over our shoulders.”