'Sent a message' Walsall fan verdict on statement win over MK Dons

Roberto Petrucco (Yellow Ribbon Podcast)

The match against MK Dons is one of the first games in a long time I was nervous for, given the week the Saddlers had just had. 

Nathan Lowe's recall, a defeat at the hands of Peterborough, the 'will we, won't we', regarding the potential signing of Freddie Draper, and a team we struggle to beat visiting the Bescot. 

However, the character and desire shown by the team after going a goal down and the performance that followed was that of a team not only looking for promotion, but a team seeking silverware. 

The thing that impressed me, as it has all season, is the work rate of this team. Our defence battled, our wing-backs were up and down the flanks for the entire match, and the midfield kept two bright talents in League Two quiet, forcing MK to change their style of play. 

The player that epitomised Walsall's performance was Albert Adomah. Aged 37, he ran his socks off and did not stop even when he looked like he had given his all. I was calling for him to be replaced as I thought he had given all he could, but about a minute later he scored, and I will gladly admit I was wrong! 

Saturday sent a message to the rest of the league that we will not let any hurdle get in our way. Resilience, desire, determination, call it what you will, but this Saddlers team have it in abundance. 

Dave Evans 

The build up to this game by the supporters was about Nathan Lowe's recall by Stoke City and all the speculation regarding a possible return for Freddie Draper. 

By the final whistle the talk was all about us not being a one man team and how the goals are being shared around by the team, which is great. The last two league games has seen eight different scorers and if you throw in the midweek cup game in between that rises to ten different goal scorers in three games! 

There was much speculation as to who Mat Sadler would put to partner Jamille Matt and the choice of 37-year-old  Albert Adomah showed his value to the squad by playing two full games in five days. We certainly owed MK Dons one - we seldom score, let alone beat them - and when Scott Hogan somehow beat the offside trap to give the visitors the lead, I did begin to wonder if they were going to dent our winning sequence. 

But, as ever these days, falling behind doesn't phase the players. Just past the half-hour mark Dave Okagbue capitalised on a spot of butter fingers by keeper Tom McGill to hook the ball intp the net. It certainly quietened the away fans somewhat and I was hopeful we would pepper the MK Dons defence in the second half which is now somewhat customary kicking towards the big stand with the fans sucking the ball into the net.

I didn't think it would take just 25 seconds of the restart though to go ahead. It was a wonderful five man passing move which proved that Liam Gordon does have a right foot! Harry Williams showed his continual progress starting off with a long throw in and ending the subsequent move himself in a matter of seconds to put us 3-1 up. 

It was good to see Josh Gordon given a bit of game time and his awareness and speed forced their keeper into a panic for the fourth goal. I was waiting for the ref to blow for a foul on Jamie Jellis but thankfully he allowed Uncle Albert's controlled chip into the empty net to stand. 

MK Dons second goal was no more than a consolation. Saddlers deserved this win and could have won by a bigger margin. Nine successive wins and our twelve point lead remains intact. 

Tom Bowen - Walsall FC Club Reporter

 Walsall’s turnaround against MK Dons proved to many that this young, fit, athletic side are extremely likely to go on and win the league. 

After winning over second placed Notts County on New Year’s Day, many fans praised Walsall’s ability to keep going despite the adversity of going a goal behind. The substitution and tactical changes to turn the game around proved Walsall’s intent to many. 

That was the same with MK Dons. After a relatively even opening quarter, the visitors went ahead, but were unable to hold on to the lead as David Okagbue bundled the ball over the line. 

Then, when Liam Gordon gave them the lead just 25 seconds after the restart, it was evident that they wouldn’t look back. Walsall have already broken a club record recently, but they also have a 21-game unbeaten record in their sights as well as the chance to smash the League Two points record. 

It’s hard to tell exactly, but it doesn’t look like anything will stop the Saddlers this season. It’s credit to Mat Sadler and the culture that he has developed within the club about building an athletic team with high determination and work rate, and judging by his recent comments, he isn’t done in the market yet and wants to keep building.