Prior to this weekend Milton Keynes Dons had gone seven games unbeaten, but also four without a win, after a strange spell of form, letting leads slip in the last ten minutes has been the main problem.
Word round the campfire has suggested the Dons are just getting too defensive, too early.
The persistence to keep core-players such as Sam Baldock and Shaun Cummings in the team when theirs seasons appeared to be fading out finally paid off.
Baldock ended a spell without a goal in open play in October against Huddersfield on tuesday, whilst Cummings came out of his shell to tell the local press just how committed he is to the Dons cause.
So, with a reinvigorated Baldock and an inspired Cummings, Roberto di Matteo's side welcomed Oldham Athletic to stadium:MK, but didn't get off to the best of starts.
A beautiful free-kick from Kevin Maher before the five minute mark gave Oldham an early lead and set up a frenetic first half.
The Dons huffed and puffed until Aaron Wilbraham drew level on 33 minutes. Controversial Lee Hughes took just seven minutes to reply with a placed header before Jason Puncheon restored parity with a stunning lobbed effort two minutes later, just prior to half-time.
Whatever di Matteo said at half-time, worked wonders, especially with a fresh-looking Baldock who bagged a brace in the space of five minutes to give the Dons a deserved two goal lead before the hour mark. A good birthday gift for the now 20 year old.
They didn't stop their, they killed of the game in stunning fashion, Alan Navarro grabbing a rare goal with 10 minutes to go. Ali Gerba bundled in a late tap-in during injury time to seal a remarkable 6-2 win.
For Oldham, battered and bruised, in would be the last straw of a difficult sevn days, with the reports of a midweek bust-up between players outside a Greyhound track still looming over them, they parted company with manager John Sheridan hours after the game.
For the Dons, it's that critical win, and proof that they can kill a game off again. With young star Sam Baldock looking bright again and with the Midfield acting like a unit again, they can go into a crucial game with Millwall with confidence.
Millwall will be looking to avenge a four goal home defeat at the hands of the Dons early in the season. The Dons however, look a better side than they did then, and will be more than up for it.
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