Nik Tzanev was quick to point to two members of Johnnie Jackson’s staff, after yet more penalty-saving heroics tipped a game in our favour and helped secure a third successive clean sheet in the league.
Rewind to March of last year. The New Zealand international saved a 97th minute penalty to deny Sam Hoskins and Northampton Town a share of the spoils at Plough Lane, with the Dons claiming all three points.
There was another pivotal moment at Prenton Park on Saturday. This time, Tans denied Tranmere’s Kane Hemmings at the midway point of the second half. Although there was still work to do on this occasion, another maximum points haul ultimately came our way.
For Tans, the key factors in both incidents were Goalkeeper Coach Ashley Bayes and First Team Analyst Tom Daws (pictured below with Alex Woodyard). He saw them as instrumental in preparing him to pull off saves in pressurised situations.
“Credit to the whole Goalkeeping department,” said Tans after yesterday’s win. “I sort of felt he (Hemmings) wasn’t too comfortable with it. Tom Daws always sets us up with a few ideas for the penalties. I’ve got to thank him and ‘Bayzo’ as well. We go over it well.”
The save came at a time when we were in front, thanks to an early goal in the game from Ethan Chislett, but even though the hosts had been reduced to ten-men with the sending off of Dynel Simeu – they were becoming an increasing threat. Ayoub Assal eventually saw them off with a classy second for the Dons.
“The team spirit is unbelievable,” said Tans. “We’re taking every game one at a time and building on our performances. Today showed the character from the boys throughout the ninety minutes, because it’s sometimes difficult to play against ten-men. We stuck it out and it’s a quality result."
“Chis has been doing really well. I try not to tell him too much, because his head will get too big from it! Ayoub has been doing that all season now. He’s been playing so well. He’s a nightmare for other teams! Having him in our team is amazing.
“We managed the game well; we didn’t get too involved with the referee and showed our experience. It’s always a battle when the opposition go down to ten. It’s difficult to keep that same intensity."
“What the gaffer said about getting up to their faces and not letting them gain yards when rolling it out and then playing forward was spot on. I think we knuckled down well. They were actually more of a threat with flick-ons and running off the man on the front, but I think Paul Kalambayi and Ryley Towler did well to deal with them.
“Huseyin Biler did amazing on his full league debut as he came in and put in a shift. So did Isaac Ogundere to cover around the back. I think it was a very solid performance throughout.”
Pics: Pro Sports Images.
You can see the full interview with Nik Tzanev below, via the link to our official YouTube channel.