While pleased with MK Dons’ result in Tuesday’s FA Youth Cup tie, Edu Rubio was also delighted with the learning experience for his young players.
The young Dons cruised into the Second Round of the FA Youth Cup courtesy of a convincing 6-1 success over AFC Hornchurch and although ecstatic with the emphatic nature of their win, Under-18s manager and head of Academy coaching Rubio is keen to look at the bigger picture.
“Having the chance to win 6-1, of course we are happy but it’s about the learning experience for the players too,” Rubio told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“It is the FA Cup, an important competition and one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, so the result is important but it’s also about the players adding the learning to their game which will ultimately help them to get into the first team and make a difference at that level - that’s the real winning for them.”
Another positive for Rubio was the professional performance from his team, who dominant the tie from start to finish and proved clinical in front of goal - something the squad had been working on after a frustrating run of results in their league campaign.
“We needed to make sure we were clinical and I’m really happy tonight because that did happen. We have been working on it as it hasn’t happened for us in the last few weeks so that was important for us.
“There are key players in there who need to score goals, players who will hopefully go on into the first team where they’ll be paid to score goals, and they did that tonight - that’s good to see too.”
Despite taking place on a cold evening in Milton Keynes, Tuesday’s tie was played in front of a crowd of 400 at Stadium MK and Rubio was very appreciative of the support, as well as those at the Club who helped to make sure the evening went smoothy.
“The Club has done very well, putting a really good game on and creating scenario for us to put in a great performance on the pitch - it was a real club effort and we’re thankful for the support from all departments.
“We’re also thankful to the fans for turning out. We are very blessed at this Club to have fantastic supporters and I hope they appreciate what we’re doing in the Academy.
“(Playing in front of a crowd) is probably one of the biggest prizes these players can get - one of the rewards of being a professional footballer is being able to connect with fans and supporters.
“It is very important for the lads to know they’ve got that support and it was create to see them connect with the supporters."
“Having the chance to win 6-1, of course we are happy but it’s about the learning experience for the players too,” Rubio told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“It is the FA Cup, an important competition and one of the most prestigious competitions in the world, so the result is important but it’s also about the players adding the learning to their game which will ultimately help them to get into the first team and make a difference at that level - that’s the real winning for them.”
Another positive for Rubio was the professional performance from his team, who dominant the tie from start to finish and proved clinical in front of goal - something the squad had been working on after a frustrating run of results in their league campaign.
“We needed to make sure we were clinical and I’m really happy tonight because that did happen. We have been working on it as it hasn’t happened for us in the last few weeks so that was important for us.
“There are key players in there who need to score goals, players who will hopefully go on into the first team where they’ll be paid to score goals, and they did that tonight - that’s good to see too.”
Despite taking place on a cold evening in Milton Keynes, Tuesday’s tie was played in front of a crowd of 400 at Stadium MK and Rubio was very appreciative of the support, as well as those at the Club who helped to make sure the evening went smoothy.
“The Club has done very well, putting a really good game on and creating scenario for us to put in a great performance on the pitch - it was a real club effort and we’re thankful for the support from all departments.
“We’re also thankful to the fans for turning out. We are very blessed at this Club to have fantastic supporters and I hope they appreciate what we’re doing in the Academy.
“(Playing in front of a crowd) is probably one of the biggest prizes these players can get - one of the rewards of being a professional footballer is being able to connect with fans and supporters.
“It is very important for the lads to know they’ve got that support and it was create to see them connect with the supporters."
