Graham Alexander has faith in MK Dons’ attack despite second game without a goal

Posted Wednesday, October 04, 2023 by PA

MK Dons boss Graham Alexander felt all his side lacked was the killer touch after they failed to score for a second successive game in a 0-0 draw at Walsall.

The visitors created the better chances throughout and Walsall goalkeeper Owen Evans made three fine saves from Ellis Harrison, including a point-blank stop to thwart a spectacular overhead kick.

Mo Eisa wasted a golden opportunity right at the death by steering over from six yards as the Dons’ winless league run was extended to six games.

“We had some really good chances that we should take, players are getting in good positions, the commitment to the game was great. I can feel it coming,” Alexander said.

“The boys were really pleased with what they put out today, they know what we are trying to build and they see another clean sheet and see us dominate another game – and the results will follow.

“Mo’s distraught in there. I’m sure it’s not the first chance he’s missed and it won’t be the last. He’s devastated because he wanted to win the game for us with the final kick.

“We’ve still got more than enough attacking talent to score the goals that we were at the start of the season so we will keep working with them and believing in them.

“I know if they keep putting that commitment and effort in that when it comes to the end of the season, their tallies will be high and we’ll score the goals we need to be successful.”

Walsall saw a Freddie Draper finish ruled out for offside just before half-time, while Isaac Hutchinson and Tom Knowles both went close from range for the Saddlers in the second half.

“I thought it was two good teams in the division,” said Walsall boss Mat Sadler.

“During that period when they were on top, the resilience not to concede was there for all to see – Owen made some good saves and there were some good blocks and good defending.

“Then we grew into it from there. But as the old saying goes: ‘if you can’t win it, don’t lose it’, and we did that with a clean sheet.

“We’ve got players who are learning on the job and it was a good education for them – our players have bags of energy, desire and hunger and we’re trying to get that bit more experience into them.

“That was another good flag in the sand, playing a different kind of team and a different kind of formation.

“Could we have had that little bit better quality on the football in the game? Yes. But it was a great experience for all of them, there were some really good challenges today.”