Opposition view: Wimbledon boss picks out key man after win over Cobblers
Wimbledon manager Johnnie Jackson felt James Tilley was one of the main differences between the teams after the wing-back tormented Cobblers in the first half of Sunday’s win at Plough Lane.
Playing at right wing-back, Tilley’s cross led to Callum Myacock’s 10th-minute opener and he also created other chances before almost scoring himself. He caused such issues that Northampton boss Kevin Nolan felt forced into making a substitution after only half-an-hour.
Whilst Tilley's influence diminished before he went off with injury, the damage was done. The win keeps Dons 14th in League One, 10 points above the relegation zone.
"It's a big result for us,” said Jackson. “It was a big game because we felt the results went in our favour on Saturday and we saw it as an opportunity to climb the table. It was a really tough game but we showed two good sides to us – with and without the ball.
"I thought James was excellent in the first half and the way we moved the ball caused them problems and they had to change their shape. Tills was an outlet for us and they found it very difficult to handle him down our right-hand side.
"I wanted a second goal to make the scoreline more comfortable and it would have been a better reflection on how the first half went, but football doesn’t always work like that and we knew the second half would look a bit different.
"It’s hard to be dominant throughout the game and Northampton changed things to try and get back into the game but we showed a different side to us. You know what they are going to do – direct balls, get runners off the front, get it wide, use set-pieces and long throws. We had to defend our box and we did it and the goalkeeper came up with a couple of moments as well.”