Sean O'Driscoll hails tip-top Walsall win

Manager Sean O'Driscoll hailed Walsall's character after they went back top of League One with a 1-0 win at Millwall.moreMilan Lalkovic's seventh goal of the season, just before the half-hour mark, was enough to earn the Saddlers all three points at The Den.

But O'Driscoll's team had to withstand a late barrage from the hosts, in which Aiden O'Brien hit the bar. And the head coach thought his players showed numerous good qualities in the victory.

He said: "I told the players before the game I will have opinions of them which will fluctuate, as some impress me and some disappoint me.

"But my opinion of them as characters is really high and, watching them today, I thought they showed how well they can play and what a great bunch of lads they are.

"I am delighted they got the result. We were hanging in there at the end but when you are getting balls launched into the box from every angle there is not a lot you can do about it.

"Some of the last minute defending was sensible. They deserved the bit of luck they got. Some of the football was excellent. We had three or four chances to put the game to bed in the first-half.

"It is a good start to the Christmas period."

Lalkovic and Anthony Forde both went close to increasing the Saddlers advantage during an impressive first-half performance.

The Slovakian's goal was the seventh of the season, with O'Driscoll adding: "He doesn't lack confidence does he?

"He can frustrate the life out of everyone but I don't think you are every going to change him. You have to give him the freedom to do what he is good at.

"He is Milan and all of a sudden he will do something to get us a chance and three points. He led the line well and was always a constant threat. It was a good team effort."

O'Driscoll named the same starting line-up which started last Sunday's 2-0 win over Port Vale, his first game in charge.

Jordan Cook, who scored both goals in that game, was again on the bench but O'Driscoll revealed the forward had not trained for much of the week because of an ankle injury.