Keates, who notched up over seven-hundred games as a player, has seen his side win just one of their last five league outings, putting them near the foot of the form table and giving the gaffer plenty to ponder ahead of the opening of the Transfer Window in just a few short days time.
Speaking via the Express & Star, Dean said; "We have got to find a level of consistency. I've told the players I am sounding like a broken record. Yes, we are a young squad, but we have to grow up and we have to grow up quickly.
"We had an opportunity to go 14 points clear of a club that is fighting for their lives. Now we are only eight. We have put ourselves in a relegation battle - there are no qualms about it.
"I've said from day one, it's about getting to 52 points as quickly as possible. But that performance has left us wide open and now we have a game against on Luton on Saturday who are the most form team in the division."
Following Boxing Day's defeat, the Saddlers remain just ten points clear of the relegation zone and, despite their bookie-bashing start to the season, are in real danger of joining the sides currently battling against the drop, with every point taking on greater meaning.
Failure to take anything from the upcoming games with Luton Town and Charlton Athletic could put the Saddlers even closer to the drop zone and Keates, who has always insisted he is only looking to secure safety before considering anything else, admitted that his side needs to cut out the errors if they are to take anything over the coming weeks.
Dean continued; "To an extent we are battling to stay in the division. We are one of the smallest clubs in the league. But teams are not earning the right to score against us. We are giving silly goals away. That has to stop."