Jon Whitney hails Walsall work-rate following victory

Substitute Julien Ngoy was the hero after the Belgian striker netted with practically his first touch to see the Saddlers to a 1-0 victory in the relegation six-pointer.

Ngoy together with Justin Shaibu replaced Bakayoko and Oztumer just past the hour mark after both players had tirelessly pressed the Dons defence during the afternoon.

And Whitney felt that work rate was crucial to the Saddlers going on to claim a vital win.

“I thought we were deserved winners,” the boss said.

“I thought we were solid and it was really nice to get the clean sheet. There were lots of positives out there.

“The substitution when they both came off, it was planned because of the amount of energy Ama and Erhun have to expend to stop them getting out.

“That’s never seen – all that’s seen is the chances they have.

“But if you look at the way they pressed first half, it was a nice position – which we always aimed for – that we could actually flip the two of them.

“And that’s what Julien and Justin give us, the fact that we can just flip and keep that energy and that threat.

“I think the scene was set by the energy from the team in the first half and the first 60 minutes.

“Especially Erhun and Ama – we asked a big shift of them to stop MK playing out because we know Dan (Micciche) wants them to play out from the back.”

Whitney admitted he was disappointed his team didn’t head into the break ahead after the Saddlers dominated the first half.

“MK Dons have got individual players who can hurt you if you give them space and time but I thought we limited it really well, won the ball back and were a threat,” the boss continued.

“It was nice for Julien to come on and get his goal. But credit to the team. I thought they stuck to the game plan excellently and were deserved winners.

“I thought we were really good first half. We just nullified them. I thought our discipline and our shape and our organisation behind the ball was fantastic and we’ve worked hard on that this week. And the lads have taken it on.

“It’s nice to be sitting here with a six-point gap from them (MK Dons) because it was an important game.

“This was definitely a big six-pointer for us and the lads coped with it really well.”