Walsall's Dean Keates: It's up to me now
Boss Dean Keates said it’s up to him to build a team which mirrors Walsall’s fantastic supporters after watching his side slip to a final day defeat at Fleetwood.
First half-goals from Ashley Hunter and Paddy Madden saw the Cod Army run out comfortable winners at Highbury Stadium.
In front of more than 1,000 travelling Saddlers, Keates named an experimental XI after Walsall’s League One status had been secured at Bradford on Tuesday.
And he felt the defeat on the Flyde Coast mirrored his team’s season with naïve defending leading to the Cod Army’s goals.
“I think the game sums up the season,” Keates said.
“We showed naivety for the goals with spare bodies in the box, left it one v one when somebody else could have got out and doubled up on their wide player.
“It’s probably the story of the season and definitely of the short time that I have been in charge.
“You want to finish as high as you can and we brought up a great following. We wanted to give them something to remember the last game by.
“The support was unbelievable and it’s up to me now to make sure that they continue their support and their passion for the club and I can put a team out that mirrors what goes on in the stands.”
Keates felt it was important he experimented with his team so he could see some of his young players in match action.
"It was a chance for me to have a look at players,” the boss added.
“There have been players who have not had much of an opportunity and I needed to see what they can do on the pitch before I make a decision (on their futures).
“I thought Callum (Cockerill-Mollett) was outstanding. For someone his age, he’s just came in, it’s his full league debut and he was exceptional.
“It’s a positive for us to have so many academy players involved. But, for us to go forward and help these young lads develop and keep going, there need to be a few more leaders in there.”
