The Saddlers go top with Millwall win...
Head coach Sean O’Driscoll hailed the character of his players after Walsall beat Millwall 1-0 to go top of League One.The Saddlers dominated the first-half and took a deserved 29th-minute lead when Lalkovic coolly slotted past Lions keeper David Forde.
Millwall rallied late on with Aiden O’Brien hitting the bar, but the visitors defended manfully to secure a fourth consecutive league win.
“I’m delighted,” admitted O’Driscoll afterwards.
“I told the players before the game that I will have opinions of them as players which will fluctuate, as some may surprise me and some might disappoint me.
“But my opinion of them as characters is really high and watching them today, I thought they showed how well they can play and what a great bunch of lads they are.
“I am delighted they got the result.
“We were hanging in there at the end but when you are getting balls launched into the box from every angle there is not a lot you can do about it.
“Some of the last-minute defending was sensible and they got a little bit of luck at times – but they deserved it.
“Some of the football they played in the first-half was excellent and we had three or four chances to put the game to bed.
“I’m pleased with the clean sheet and we’ve started the Christmas period on a good note.”
Slovakian winger Lalkovic has now netted six goals in his last nine league appearances for the Saddlers.
“I’m delighted for Milan,” added O’Driscoll, who also worked with Lalkovic at Doncaster.
“He doesn’t lack confidence and can frustrate the life out of everyone at times but I don’t think you are ever going to change him.
“You have to give him the freedom to do what he is good at.
“He is Milan and all of a sudden he will do something to get us three points.
“He led the line well and was always a constant threat, they hated playing against him.
“I’m delighted for him and it was a fantastic team effort.”
Walsall will be hoping to record a fifth consecutive league victory when play-off chasing Peterborough visit the Banks’s tomorrow afternoon.