He said: I would rank that performance alongside the ones we had in Europe when we won the UEFA Cup two seasons ago in Porto, Olympiakos, Roma and Barcelona.
"We are the only team to win away from home in the UEFA Cup this week. To do that you've got to perform defensively as a team. You know you are going to be under pressure at times so you have to be resilient and dig in.
"We did and we looked in control, they didn't have many chances at all. Against Auxerre you have to organise yourself. I'm aware that means the game won't always flow or catch the eye, but never mind.
"In those situations you have to make the most of your chances. We had a few in the first half. Emile was late getting to Michael's cross in the first half, he could have had a penalty in the second, Danny Murphy had a good free-kick and hit the post and then Sami scored.
"The best way to prepare for the Worthington Cup Final is to win every game because it boosts morale and confidence. Our defensive display was a good preparation for what is to come, we will need that against Manchester United. Maybe had we defended like that in the Champions League we would still be in it."