Walsall analysis: Solid Saddlers showing adds to growing sense of optimism
Walsall have won four of their opening six games by just the single goal and had to show many different sides to their game to emerge with victory at Stadium MK.
12 points from six games is a solid return and back-to-back wins in the league suggests Walsall are beginning to gather some early season momentum.
The campaign might only be six games old but Aden Flint might just be the signing of the summer for Walsall.
The numbers illustrate Aden Flint's dominance
At 36-year-old, there were question marks over whether his best years were behind him, but the towering centre-back has proven any potential critics emphatically wrong.
There are few superlatives left to describe Flint and his outstanding performances during the opening weeks of the season.
He shone in the 1-0 win over Salford City at Bescot, and produced yet another top drawer display to help lead the Saddlers to back-to-back wins at Stadium MK.
The numbers only further illustrated his dominance. He made 15 defensive contributions and five clearances - more than any player on the pitch in both metrics.
He also made five headed clearance (second only to MK Dons defender Jack Sanders) and the joint-most interceptions (two).
Recovering from Evan Weir's injury
His leadership and defensive knowhow also proved beneficial once Walsall had to readjust midway into the first half after Evan Weir was forced off with a knock.
Priestley Farquharson was deployed on the right and Harrison Burke adjusted seamlessly when he switched to left centre-back.
