Time changes quickly in the world of Walsall and Dean Keates is living proof.
The midfield player began the season on the substitutes' bench but returned to the starting line-up as captain and then scored both goals in the 2-0 victory over Hartlepool Town last Saturday.
Keates was only in the team because of a head injury to Michael Dobson and now he has given Richard Money, the Walsall manager, a difficult choice.
"I feel for Michael but, from a personal point of view, I was delighted to be in the team and lucky enough for me, I managed to bag a couple of goals," Keates said. "Michael and Mark Kinsella did a great job for us in the opening two games and it's unfortunate for Dobbo that he's lost his place through injury.
"I wish him a speedy recovery but I'll be doing all I can to keep my place. The gaffer asked me if I'd fill in as captain and I was happy to do it but the way I see it, 'Dobbo' took the captaincy from the start of the season and I think that's where the gaffer wants it to lie and I've got no problems with that.
"The captaincy thing, I will take game-by-game, but I want to make sure I'm playing week-in, week-out. In the opening three games, we've set ourselves a standard and we've got to keep that up all season. It's been a fantastic start but that's all it is; a good start.
"We've got to take the positives out of the Hartlepool victory and look forward to the next game."
Keates is desperate to keep his place for the match away to Lincoln City on Saturday. He is a former Lincoln player and has much affection for the club.
"I'll see a few friendly faces up there but I know it's going to be a tough game for us," Keates said. "They've had a few players leave over the summer and with [manager] Keith [Alexander] also moving on, it is a different team to the one I left.
"But I know John Schofield [head coach] very well from my days there and he'll have them organised and up for the challenge. It will be a hard game but we go there with a lot of confidence. We've played three games, won them all and not conceded a goal and that's what we'll be aiming to do again."
