Johnnie Jackson paid tribute to our squad after seeing his side run out as 3-1 winners away at Walsall this afternoon.
A Connor Evans opener – his first goal for the Club – sent us on our way towards three points before 10-man Walsall fought back against the run of play. Nevertheless the Dons were not deterred as goals from Jack Currie and Ali Al-Hamadi clinched a deserved win as we extended our unbeaten away record.
The result sees us jump up to eight as we get firmly back on track in League Two. Johnnie was understandably delighted with what he saw and reserved special praise for all three goalscorers as he provided his post-match reaction.
Watch the full interview below.
ON THE RESULT…
It was a really good performance. I’m delighted for the boys, they deserved that one. We’ve been playing really well and not necessarily picking up what we’ve deserved. To come here, dominate, play the way that we did and score three goals was so pleasing.
ON CONNOR EVANS…
He was outstanding. I brought him to the Club because I know he’s got that quality. I’ve been watching him for a long time. When the opportunity came to bring him in, we jumped at it. He’s had to bide his time because the lads have been playing so well – Tills who didn’t play today (missed out with a dead leg) and Josh (Neufville) on the other side.
Connor was brilliant in the friendly during the week, he put the work in, scored a goal and looked really sharp. With Tilley being out it was the perfect opportunity to bring him in.
ON JACK CURRIE…
He’s got the energy, the physicality and the legs to do what we want from him. Those runs are something that we encourage him to do, especially playing alongside Connor down that side, his movements give Jack the perfect opportunities to underlap and overlap. They worked really well together.
He’s not one that you necessarily expect to pop up with a goal but it was great timing for Jack. We encourage him to get into those positions because we know he can recover as well and get back into those defensive positions. He’s a defender first and foremost but if he can help out in attack we welcome it.
ON ALI AL-HAMADI…
I’ve heard the way that he talks, he always says that he’s built differently and I believe that. I don’t think he’s been affected at all by not scoring the goals. He’s playing so well for the team, he’s causing headaches for everyone he plays against, it was only a matter of time before he scored.
The goal was all his own doing really, he’s been nice and positive, it was a great finish on his left foot. Someone that good will always turn it around, he’s never panicked, he’s kept doing what he does, he’s been a menace for the opposition and today he’s got his goal, we’re really pleased for him.
ON LITTLE AND REEVES…
I felt for Bally (James Ball) and Charlie (Lakin) who missed out today. They’ve both come in and done really well. But Reevesy and Marns have a great partnership, some of the success that we had early on in the season, they were key to it. It was a tough one.
There was an argument to say that they maybe could have been involved from the bench last Saturday. They’ve both been knocking on the door because they trained. They had a full week of training and my gut was saying that they were both ready.
Did I think they would get through 90 minutes? Both of them weren’t sure about that but I knew about how well they play together that it would make us really strong. That’s why I went with it.
Partnerships all over the pitch are important. Your centre-backs, your wingers and your midfield two. A lot of games are won and lost in midfield. It’s your engine room. All of your shape comes off protecting that middle of the pitch. Reevesy is like a general on the pitch, he does his job but he makes sure everyone else does theirs too. It’s invaluable. I’m really pleased to have them both back.
ON STAYING UNBEATEN AWAY…
We’ve been outstanding on the road. It’s where we have picked up the majority of our points. To come to a place like this and be in such control and in other away games is brilliant. Even in home games I feel we haven’t got what we’ve deserved from them.
Today was a proper away performance. We knew there would be moments where we’d be under the cosh but we took all their threats away from them. We controlled it and got what we deserved.
PICS: Manjit Singh (Pro Sports Images)