Our boys aiming to stifle Dons

ALEX CISAK was a last-gasp hero against Walsall.

Latics’ assistant manager writes every week for Chron Sport
IT was a nice feeling to get back to winning ways with a 2-1 home triumph over Walsall.

We were the better team on the night and deserved the victory, although it was a bit of a mixed bag as we almost let it slip in the second half.

Our goalkeeper, Alex Cisak, could have done better for the visitors’ goal, but he certainly redeemed himself with a last-gasp penalty save which secured the three points.

Having watched the DVD of the game, I believe it was a dubious decision to give the spot-kick, so justice was done.

The penalty save was that little bit of luck a team needs when they are trying to get back on track. Now we look to build some momentum.

Next up is tomorrow’s trip to MK Dons, who are still in the hunt for promotion despite a shaky run of late.

We have watched them in action three or four times over the last couple of weeks — they are a good, attacking team so we have a game plan aimed at stifling them.

It won’t be easy because Karl Robinson’s side have a lot of good players, particularly in the final third of the pitch, and Newcastle loanee Alan Smith has been there and done it.

He is beginning to find some form and fitness. In the match I watched he never gave away the ball, but I was not surprised because you don’t become a bad player overnight.

Even if things did not go to plan at Newcastle, we are still talking about someone with Champions League experience, as well as a winner of major domestic honours.

Their passing style suits his game and Smith is definitely a threat.

Looking ahead, we are breaking down the next 20 or so games into four or five match blocks and concentrating on each block.

Meanwhile, I must say I was surprised to see our npower League One rivals Huddersfield sack manager Lee Clark.

People say he spent a lot of money, but Lee did a good job, guiding the Terriers to the play-off final last season and going on that huge unbeaten run.

Maybe there were internal issues, which may or may not come out eventually, but on the face of it I think it seems a strange decision, with Huddersfield still in with a great chance of gaining promotion.

But it is a funny game and you never know what is around the corner.