Dean Keates: Inexperienced Walsall are so naive

While the Saddlers have performed well against the likes of Fleetwood, Sunderland and Peterborough recently, they have also put in dreadful displays versus Bradford and Bristol Rovers.

With a positive performance seemingly followed by a bad one, Keates was asked if complacency is an issue among his players.

But he feels a lack of League One nous is the real reason behind their indifferent form.

“Would I say complacency is an issue? It’s hard to say that if I’m honest,” the boss said. “You look through the team, the goalkeeper has not been a number one before this season. He is in uncharted waters, he is having his first run of consecutive games.

“That can be said about the majority of the back four. Two years ago there was only one of them playing professional football.

“You go through the midfield, they are still very young. And the ones that have been at the level for a few years have never been consistent performers.

“And the lads up top have come from non-league.

“We are what we are. The biggest thing we have been about is work-rate and commitment. But against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day we were nowhere near good enough.

“Now we have got a tough game against Luton. We will strip it back and get back to basics.

“And I will make sure whoever goes out at the weekend gives everything for the football club.”

Walsall welcome the Hatters to the Banks’s Stadium tomorrow with Nathan Jones’ side the most form team in League One.

Incredibly, the visitors have won 10 of their last 11 games. But Keates has promised fans his team will be up for the fight.

“We are a wounded animal and we have to come out and fight for our lives,” he said. “They are going to come straight at us. Every one of our players has to go out and give 110 per cent for the football club and for themselves. We have to give everything.”