FRENCH defender Drissa Diallo has been slumbering like a baby these last couple of days, to make up for the sleepless nights he has suffered recently, writes Derek Davis.

FRENCH defender Drissa Diallo has been slumbering like a baby these last couple of days, to make up for the sleepless nights he has suffered recently, writes Derek Davis.

The win against Walsall was a perfect tonic for his restless nights and he hopes to be in a deep sleep tonight as Town continue their march up the table with victory over bottom side Wimbledon.

Diallo had a nightmare at West Bromwich, losing Thomas Gaardsoe for his opener and then nodding the ball into his own net to hand the Baggies a fourth.

His disappointment doubled his determination to do well against the Saddlers on Tuesday and he played his part in Town's first league win of the season.

He said: "I'm always motivated but I was particularly so after scoring the own goal on Saturday.

"I could not sleep after that game I was so upset.

"After the game against West Brom I felt really sorry for the manager, the fans who travelled, everyone.

"We had gone bottom but you know when you are in those situations you have to be strong and keep fighting and that is what we did and we beat Walsall.

"I have been able to sleep now because of that win."

But Diallo knows that the morale-boosting win will count for nothing if they fail to capture three points against the Dons today, especially as they have lost six in a row.

He said: "Tuesday lifted everyone. It was not easy but we showed great spirit and in the end it earned us our first three points and it was a great boost for everyone.

"But that was just the start and now we must carry on against Wimbledon.

"At West Brom we gave them four presents, in between they were no better than us and at this level you can afford to give away goals.

"We find it difficult enough to score goals so to give them away does not help."

Town have often slipped up against so-called weaker opposition, and were left reeling by a 5-1 defeat to Wimbledon last season, before Diallo and fellow central defender Georges Santos were here.

He said: "On a good day we can beat anyone, but on a bad day we can lose to anyone. Wimbledon are struggling like us but we need to be 100% to win the game because they have dangerous players.

"Georges told me he played last season on the left side, while I had played on the right at Burnley so I did not mind at all.

"Richard was a bit unlucky to lose his place but that is the manager's job. It is not my responsibility to pick the team, my job is to do the best I can for the team and for me it is to play."

And the former Burnley defender was quick to praise Town's 12th man – the fans.

He said: "I have to thank the supporters for the way they have backed me and this team. Three years ago they were in the Premiership and now we are struggling in the First Division so it is not easy for them. But they have to know that we are working hard to make sure we climb up the table."