Express & Star

Dean Keates targeting a super seven finale for Walsall

Manager Dean Keates has challenged his players to put in 90-minute displays as Walsall get set for seven games that will determine their League One fate.

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Currently 21st in the table, the Saddlers are one of 13 teams still battling to avoid relegation this year.

They were dealt a blow at the weekend though when they were beaten 1-0 by Barnsley despite dominating the game.

Walsall missed a host of clear-cut chances while Isaiah Osbourne also had a goal incorrectly ruled out before Jacob Brown struck in stoppage time for the Tykes.

But while Keates was angry with the way his team let valuable points slip through their fingers, he was impressed with the way they kept going for 90 minutes.

“I think over the past few weeks we have put in half performances,” the boss said. “We have been good for 45 or 50 minutes. But I think for 90 minutes against Barnsley we were by far the better team.

“The result was a massive body blow. But we have to dust ourselves down and regroup.

“We’ve got some massive games coming up and if we keep performing like that and giving full 90-minute performances, things will turn and go in our favour.

“Against Barnsley we played on the front foot. Now we have to go to Doncaster and play on the front foot on Saturday.”

Keates left top scorer Andy Cook on the bench when naming his starting XI for the Barnsley match. It means the striker has now been on the bench for both games since completing his three-match ban for his red card against Bradford.

But with Josh Gordon performing well in his absence, Keates decided to stick with the former Leicester man.

“I have had a chat with Andy,” Keates continued. “He was desperate for a chance to play in the Football League. I brought him in and he’s scored goals.

“Do I think he should have got sent off? Probably not. But unfortunately that was the case.

“We have had a tinker with the formation and I think Josh Gordon has done really well the last few games.

“I think he deserved the opportunity to still be up top against Barnsley and be the number nine leading the line.”