Karl Robinson heaped praise on his young Dons after their spirited display in the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening.
Over 120 minutes at the Madejski Stadium, Robinson’s youthful side proved more than a match for Sky Bet Championship outfit Reading and although they weren’t able to come out victorious in the penalty shoot-out, the Liverpudlian had nothing but positive words for his team.
“I’m very proud of the players,” Robinson told MK Dons PlayerHD. “It was a pressure-free environment for the players to go and perform in and they did a wonderful job.
“We looked very composed, very organised and very disciplined. It’s certainly no disgrace losing on penalties to a Reading side who have got ambitions of finishing in the top 10 of the Championship.
“We came here with kids and I felt, in the second half, we looked a lot fitter than them. I thought we were the better team for large parts of extra-time as well.”
He continued: “Every player to a man, deserves to be tapped on the back.”
“I’m very proud of the players,” Robinson told MK Dons PlayerHD. “It was a pressure-free environment for the players to go and perform in and they did a wonderful job.
“We looked very composed, very organised and very disciplined. It’s certainly no disgrace losing on penalties to a Reading side who have got ambitions of finishing in the top 10 of the Championship.
“We came here with kids and I felt, in the second half, we looked a lot fitter than them. I thought we were the better team for large parts of extra-time as well.”
He continued: “Every player to a man, deserves to be tapped on the back.”
“We have a wealth of young talent here. I’m very proud of the kids tonight.”
“We’re out of the Cup but we’ve gone out in the right way. We’ve used it to blood the kids this season and they’ve enjoyed two wonderful experiences.”
The cruel shoot-out defeat did see the Dons exit the EFL Cup at the second-round stage – Robinson believes the Club has benefited from this season’s competition.
Robinson also reserved a special mention for the travelling supporters, who wouldn't have returned back to Milton Keynes until gone midnight due to extra-time and penalties.
"I want to say a massive thank you to the travelling support. We walked off the pitch at 10 to 11 and they stayed with us right until the end - hopefully we gave them a very proud performance to watch."
, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343. here To purchase tickets click
Robinson's MK Dons are back in action this Saturday when they entertain Peterborough United - tickets for the Stadium MK clash are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s and £7 under-18s, while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership.
“We’re out of the Cup but we’ve gone out in the right way. We’ve used it to blood the kids this season and they’ve enjoyed two wonderful experiences.”
The cruel shoot-out defeat did see the Dons exit the EFL Cup at the second-round stage – Robinson believes the Club has benefited from this season’s competition.
Robinson also reserved a special mention for the travelling supporters, who wouldn't have returned back to Milton Keynes until gone midnight due to extra-time and penalties.
"I want to say a massive thank you to the travelling support. We walked off the pitch at 10 to 11 and they stayed with us right until the end - hopefully we gave them a very proud performance to watch."
, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343. here To purchase tickets click
Robinson's MK Dons are back in action this Saturday when they entertain Peterborough United - tickets for the Stadium MK clash are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s and £7 under-18s, while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership.
