Jon Whitney hails Walsall players after comprehensive win

A brace from Erhun Oztumer as well as a Kieron Morris strike saw the Saddlers run out 3-0 winners at the Keepmoat Stadium.

In an uneventful first-half, Whitney’s men had to dig in with a strong wind making playing conditions tricky for his side.

But after the interval they took control with all their goals coming in the second half.

And the boss admitted he was delighted with his side.

“You have got be clinical away from home,” he said.

“I think we handled the elements better than them. It was difficult. The wind was swirling, you can’t really get out.

“It’s always difficult facing a strong wind, psychologically as well it’s difficult to get out your own half.

“But we handled it well in the first half. We were a little bit lucky, they hit the post. But we dug in.

“And in the second half and I felt the energy from the lads and the defensive energy of Amadou Bakyoko especially was outstanding.

“Oztumer got his rewards because he did a job defensively for the team. Tyler (Roberts) led the line really well.

“But Ama’s energy on the left was outstanding. To have that in his locker, I’ve said to him, it’s sometimes more important to have that then goals.

"Players in the past who have done that have gone on to play a lot higher.

“Doncaster didn’t really look like getting a goal in the second half. I thought it was quite comfortable. It was a good away performance.

"That is what you want to do, soak up some pressure, hit them on the counter-attack and score three excellent team goals.

“All the credit to the players. I am proud of them. Amadou especially. But the players can take that. I thought they were all outstanding.”

Whitney felt his team really had to dig in to deal with the elements in the first half.

“Even if you try to play over the press it holds up and that favoured their three centre-backs,” he added.

You have got Andy Butler who is coming on it. It was difficult for Tyler to hold it.

"But we knew we would get the upper hand in the second half.

"But you still have to take your chances which we did.”