The manager, who began the summer by securing the services of Andy Cook, Chris Dunn, Josh Ginnelly, and Zeli Ismail, has found his desire to secure the majority of his squad ahead of the opening weekend somewhat scuppered by the clubs less-than competitive wage structure.
Obviously, Dean is far from the first manager to feel the wrath of Walsall FC's penny-pinching ways, and it must be noted that there are plenty of other bosses also working with a lack of funds, so blame for the shortage of new arrivals can't simply be placed at the foot of the powers that be.
On Thursday morning the local press carried several quotes from our Walsall-born boss where he revealed that once again he'd missed out on transfer targets, going as far to describe at least one of them as something of a coup for the club, with the other earning a 'marquee signing' description. This goes to show that there is still money available, just not yet anyone willing to accept it.
Over the last few weeks, the gaffer has repeatedly expressed his desire to add at least four more players to his squad - believed to bein the shape of two central defenders, a midfielder, and a striker - but has seen his plans thrown into disarray as player after player opted to go elsewhere.
Maybe this latest batch of rejections should signal an about turn in the managers' thinking, and he should begin to look away from the lobster and towards the corned beef, less premium portions, more reduced to clear, after all, it wouldn't be the first time the Saddlers took on the world with a squad full of misfits.
But with the deadline to register players for tomorrow's clash with the Pilgrims arriving at midday, Keates and Co. will need to pull off something of a miracle if they are to get enough players through the doors to quell the ever-growing fan frustration, which is currently reaching amber-warning levels across social media.
The upcoming Transfer Deadline Day will have very little effect on the Saddlers as, along with the fact that the loan window carries on until the end of the month, they are likely to be targeting free agents, so there remains plenty of time to turn things around, but it can't happen a moment too soon.