Captain Dean Lewington says today’s clash with Dover Athletic is an opportunity to regain some confidence following a disappointing run of results.
The Dons have won just two of their last seven games and come into this afternoon having lost their last three. Karl Robinson’s side have slipped to 12th in the Sky Bet League 1 table because of their form and are now nine points adrift of the targeted play-off places.
Lewington, who has played every minute of every game since August, has been frustrated with the side’s recent run but is hopeful a win today will give everybody a much-needed lift ahead of a difficult set of festive fixtures.
Speaking to MK Dons Player, the 29-year-old said: “This is a good chance for us to regain some confidence. It’ll obviously be a difficult game and we’re not going to underestimate them but it’s a game that you look at and feel confident about. If we play the way we can, we should get a result.
“The form has not been great in the League and we’re welcoming the opportunity to take on a different challenge in a different competition because it gives us a little break from the norm.
“The morale’s still pretty good and we’re a lot happier and feeling a lot better than we did after Saturday. There’s a new determination and a new focus that what’s gone is gone.
“Last year, the FA Cup seemed to distract us from the League but this year we’re hoping it will do the opposite and it will give us that boost and confidence to help our League form.”
It was in this round of the competition last season that the Dons pulled off one of the most memorable victories in the Club’s history; a 2-1 victory over AFC Wimbledon in the first ever meeting between the two sides.
Lewington, who has been with the Dons since the move to Milton Keynes, has fond memories of that afternoon in December 2012 and is keen to make even more history in this season’s competition.
He added: “A year goes quickly; it only feels like it was two days ago. It was a great occasion; I wouldn’t say it was a good game because it was a bit dour but the ending and the result was the most important thing. It was just nice to get that win and bit it to bed, a little.
“We’ve always done quite well in the FA Cup and had half decent runs. We’ve had some decent games in the competition and we’re looking for that to continue.”