Goals were a gift – Byrne

Cliff Byrne: we coud have done more

CLIFF Byrne admits Athletic could have done a lot more to prevent the two goals scored by MK Dons.

The home side's first from Darren Potter came from a free header in the opening half and the second, scored by Daniel Powell, was the result of a length-of-field counter-attack the visitors failed to handle.

Such defensive lapses are particularly disappointing given that the back-line had looked so solid pre-season.

As far as the experienced Byrne is concerned, the way to rectify the problem is to put in the work on the training ground.

"Teams are trying their utmost to stick the ball in the net and you have to match them and go beyond it.

"We will go on to the training ground and work on it and I am sure the manager will work on a few things as well."

Walsall provide the opposition at Boundary Park (7.45pm tonight) in the first home encounter of the season - a fixture Byrne believes Athletic can win.

“As a squad, if we bring our A-game on to the pitch every time, we are more than a match for anyone."




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