Liam Roberts: Walsall still believe

The Saddlers, who have won just one of their last 12 games, sit just two points outside the relegation zone in League One.

Speaking after the loss to rock-bottom AFC Wimbledon, Keates admitted his side are in freefall and will now be seen as favourites for the drop.

But while a lot of people are tipping the Saddlers to go down, Roberts says inside the dressing room the belief is there that they will get out of trouble.

“I know all the players still believe,” the keeper said.

“The Wimbledon result was a body blow. It hurt, it really hurt.

“It is about staying together now. It’s not about individuals, it’s about the entire team.

“It’s about everyone now focusing on us getting a positive result at the weekend.

“We now have to grind out a result and have the togetherness to get through this rough patch.

“If the whole club stays together, things will change and we will start getting results again.”

Walsall are back in action on Saturday when they travel to take on Coventry.

Should they lose, they could find themselves in the bottom four – although four results would have to go against them.

But while the table currently makes for grim reading, Roberts is still adamant the team can put together a run of results that will push them much higher up the division.

“From a player’s perspective, the table is always there,” he continued.

“The table is the table, it tells you exactly the form of the teams in the league.

“For me, I am always thinking of the positives, we can still go higher.

“We aren’t actually in the bottom four, there are still positives we can take from that.

“We need to starting grinding results out now to get us climbing back up the table.

“We have got 15 games between now and the end of the season and every one is absolutely massive.

“I will keep reiterating my point though, everyone needs to stick together.

“I believe in all the players in front of me. If I am picked then I believe in myself.

“I still believe we are going to get through this. If we keep doing the right things our fortunes will change.”