Dean Keates: Walsall subs ‘staked claims for starting spots’
Dean Keates admits his substitutes against Rochdale – particularly George Dobson – have given him food for thought ahead of Walsall’s trip to Blackpool.
The Saddlers were beaten 2-1 by Keith Hill’s side on Saturday, a result that means they have now taken just 10 points from a possible 45.
But while they struggled to create for 75 minutes against the Dale, the team looked transformed following the introductions of Corey Blackett-Taylor, Aramide Oteh and Dobson.
Dobson in particular added more invention to Walsall’s play with the team able to keep the ball better with the 21-year-old on the field.
And Keates feels all three players staked a claim for the weekend’s trip to Bloomfield Road.
“All three subs against Rochdale have given me something to think about, definitely,” the boss said.
“Corey was lively. Aramide showed what he is about. We know what he is about from watching him.
“He is lively, he puts himself about and runs both channels well. He looked a threat.
“And with George, he has been in uncharted waters recently, he’s a young lad who’d never played 20 games before on the bounce.
“He’s looked a little bit tired and jaded. He was carrying a niggle up to Christmas.
“It was a case of pulling him out and allowing him to re-charge.
“But I thought against Rochdale he did really well. He looked lively.”
As well as being pleased with his subs, Keates felt Morgan Ferrier also put in an improved performance against the Dale.
The striker turned down a deadline day move to Southend despite being offered higher wages.
And Keates now wants to see the former Boreham Wood man build on that display and start adding goals to his game.
“Full credit to Morgan, financially he was offered more money elsewhere but he turned it down,” the manager continued.
“He wants to prove his worth to this football club.
“We brought him in from non-league.
“He wants the opportunity to play and I thought against Rochdale he looked a bit like his old self.”
Meanwhile, Keates revealed Walsall missed out on the signing of one other player during the January transfer window.
In total, the Saddlers made eight additions last month.
But Keates revealed he thought he had a deal in place to bring in one more.
“We had our targets – but we hit the post so to say with one of them,” he added.
“We thought we had it done but it didn’t happen.
“But we are happy with the business we did in January.”
