Holden happy to silence critics

Matchwinner Dean Holden feels Walsall proved their critics wrong with Saturday's 1-0 victory over MK Dons.

The Saddlers have narrowly avoided relegation from League One for the past two seasons and many questioned their credentials at the start of this term following a raft of departures over the summer. Doubts only increased after an opening-day 3-0 whitewash at home to Doncaster and despite a subsequent point at Oldham and victory at Notts County, the daggers were again out as Walsall conceded twice late on to draw 2-2 at home to Brentford. But Saturday's 1-0 win over play-off semi-finalists Dons - courtesy of defender Holden - has extended the unbeaten run to four games, much to the delight of the summer signing. "It was just a brilliant day all round," he told the club's official website. "We knew it would be tough as MK Dons are a good side, but we worked hard in the build-up to the game on exploiting their weaknesses and it paid off. "They saw a lot of the ball in the second half, but as a team we played very well and deserved the victory in the end. We were eager to prove people wrong after conceding two late goals in our last game, and I feel that we did that."