Arguably the standout showing from Robbie Neilson’s time in charge of MK Dons so far is the 4-0 victory over Peterborough United back in February and while expecting a difficult test at the ABAX Stadium tonight, the manager would love to replace that 2016/17 display.
Neilson takes his men to Cambridgeshire this evening where they will be looking to make it back-to-back league wins for the first time this campaign, following on from their 1-0 triumph at Plymouth Argyle on Saturday.
“It’s a huge game for us and the fans,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference. “We know that going into it and we hope to come away with three points.
“It will be tough because they’ve had a good start to the season, even though they had a difficult result on Saturday.
“We went there last year and had a really good performance. It was a great day for us and we hope to try and replicate that.
"It will be tough but hopefully we’ll have a good support there to back us like we did last year.”
Here’s what else we learnt from Robbie Neilson’s pre-match press conference...
Plymouth win eased the journey-time
“It was a lot better coming back! The main objective for us was getting the three points – thankfully we managed to do that and it definitely helped us coming back up the road and I’m sure it helped the fans as well.”
Eager to build on Saturday’s success
“When you get a result like we did on Saturday you want the games to be coming thick and fast.
“In this league, within a space of seven days you can rocket from being bottom end of the table into the top six.
“We’ve got the first three points out of nine on Saturday – if we can win on Tuesday then it sets us up well for the weekend.”
League One an unpredictable league
“I think, in League One, form goes out the window every week. It’s such an unpredictable league.
“You look at some of the results coming in – Wigan were flying at the start of the season and now they are sitting outside the top six, and you see Shrewsbury, who many expected to be mid-table after last year, are flying at the moment.
“You have to make sure when you go into games that you are at it and you’re competitive – that will allow your ability to come through.”
Injury update
“(Ed Upson) did a little bit (on Monday) and we’ll assess him again (Tuesday) morning. He should be available for selection.
“Chuks (Aneke) has got a reserve game on Wednesday and he’s coming on really well.
“Peter (Pawlett) is still out at the moment.
“Walshy (Joe Walsh) is still going to be out for another fortnight. He had a problem with his knee and it’s not settled down yet.
“(Aaron Tshibola) is much better. He probably could have travelled (to Plymouth) and sat on the bench but we just felt having him on the bus for such a long time while he was still contagious, wasn’t right. He’s better now and trained right through.”
Offering more support to the striker
“We have to try and support him a bit better. We have to play better balls into him and support him a lot quicker.
"I felt we did that in the initial stages of the game on Saturday but then after that we didn’t do that as well.
“The striker has to provide a link for us but we have to help them out by getting them better service.”
Potential to play two up-front
“We’d like to ultimately get two strikers up front but I feel we have to find a bit more balance in the midfield and get a bit stronger defensively before we can commit another one forward.
“Once we develop that understanding of each other then we can be a little bit more attack-minded.”
Competition for places
“When you turn around at the bench it’s always good to have options that can change the game.
"We’re starting to get players back and when we get them back then it makes it difficult for me as a manager because I have to have difficult conversations but that’s my job.
“Nobody is going to play 55 games a season. All the players understand they have a role to play in the squad – they all know the overall objective here is to get the team promoted. They will all play their part in it – whether they play 40 games or they play four.”
***
Tickets for tonight's clash with Peterborough United can be bought at the ABAX Stadium ahead of kick-off.
Prices are £28 adults, £23 seniors, £19 under-22s, £11 under-18s, £9 under-12s and £1 under-7s.
Can't make the game? Can't make the match? Follow the action LIVE with iFollow MK Dons - click here for more information!
