Manager Karl Robinson revealed his pride after MK Dons’ 2-1 victory over Oldham Athletic yesterday evening.
Robinson’s men, eager to bounce back from their disappointing defeat at Valley Parade last weekend, shot out the traps on Tuesday and took the lead inside four minutes courtesy of a sweet strike from George Baldock.
Baldock’s first goal for the Club was followed-up by a cool strike from striker Izale McLeod which gave the Dons a lead they didn’t surrender, despite Charlie MacDonald’s second half header and a late rally from the hosts.
And speaking to MK Dons Player after the game, Robinson heaped praise on his players for their ‘fantastic’ performance. The Liverpudlian manager said: “I thought we deserved more than what we got out of Saturday and that still riles us a little bit. I thought that was clear in the first half when we came out all guns blazing.
“In the second half, we saw why this is a difficult place to come because the fans got behind them and they made it difficult for us. To concede from a set-piece was disappointing because, as a manager, you provide yourself on them. We know how potent he can be in the box and we should have been more switched on from that.
“But I was more than pleased with the way we shut them out after conceding the goal. Lee Johnson’s assembled a very athletic, hard-working and well-organised side and for us to six points from them in the space of 10 days, I can’t ask much more from them. It’s a real testament to them.
“Also, for the 54 people who came, a big thank you from all of us. We know how difficult it is financially but hopefully they went home proud of their team because I’m their manager and I’m extremely proud too.”
Saturday’s win was the side’s first in the League, away from home, on a Tuesday night since last April and Robinson points to a unique training session which took place the previous night as the changing factor.
He jokingly added: “A lot has been made about our form (on a Tuesday night) but we tried to change things up and we trained late (Monday) night and we need to say thank you to the under-7s because they moved to allow us to train.
“They watched along with their parents and when I spoke to the players afterwards they wanted to play a 13v13 match against them. It was great to see the complete spectrum of the Football Club.
“They scored a few goals, Izale went in goal and Dean Lewington injured one of them. It meant a lot to us so I’d like to thank the kids for allowing us that hour yesterday and the parents as well for being patient.
“There were four home-grown players on the pitch (on Tuesday) so that shows the players who we were playing have got a chance at this Football Club."
