Karl Robinson says his side displayed a ‘different edge to their game’ during the 2-1 victory over Fleetwood Town at stadiummk.
The Dons fought back from a goal down to claim a valuable three points on Tuesday evening, thanks to goals from Kyle McFadzean and Benik Afobe, the latter scoring from the penalty spot in the final few minutes of the contest.
“It was nice to be back home,” Robinson told MK Dons Player afterwards. “The players showed a different edge to their game tonight, one I’ve not seen for a while.
“In the first half, we’d had 13 shots but only three on target which was disappointing. We’d also had nine corners and 17 crosses. I told the players at half-time that these games can be determining moments in seasons.
“In the second half we came out and dominated territorially, only to concede a breakaway goal. But, the man who made the mistake then made up for it with a goal and then we were just different class from them on.
“Interestingly, Pottsy asked me, at 1-1, what the other results were in the league. He said we need to win, that’s the mentality he and the team had.
“There have been so many times where we’ve come off the pitch, having played wonderfully well, and not won. Sometimes you have to show a little bit more grit and determination and the players did that in this game.”
Afobe took his goal tally for the season up to 12 with his 84th minute spot kick and he followed it up with another celebration dance – one which his manager says he’s happy to see more of.
“When you’re so forceful in wanting to take a penalty, you need to make sure they go in the goal and he did that.
“They can dance as much as they want because the more they dance, the more goals we’re scoring and the more goals we score, the more success we’re going to have.”
The only negatives from the game were the injuries to Dean Bowditch and Kyle McFadzean, who were both forced off as a result.
“Kyle had a stiff neck, he jarred it while going up for a header and he couldn’t turn it very well so we took him off. Bowds had a slight stiffness in his groin so we’ll have to wait and see how that responds in the next 24 hours.”
Finally, Robinson reserved a special mention for the Dons supporters after their tribute to Henry Allen, who lost his battle with cancer a year ago on Monday.
“I want to give a mention to the fans for their tribute to Henry Allen during the game. It’s something that means a lot to me, personally and I know his father was in the crowd.
“I’d like to thank them on behalf of the Henry Allen Trust but I also know Dawn and Mark will be immensely thankful and proud of Milton Keynes again this evening.”
“It was nice to be back home,” Robinson told MK Dons Player afterwards. “The players showed a different edge to their game tonight, one I’ve not seen for a while.
“In the first half, we’d had 13 shots but only three on target which was disappointing. We’d also had nine corners and 17 crosses. I told the players at half-time that these games can be determining moments in seasons.
“In the second half we came out and dominated territorially, only to concede a breakaway goal. But, the man who made the mistake then made up for it with a goal and then we were just different class from them on.
“Interestingly, Pottsy asked me, at 1-1, what the other results were in the league. He said we need to win, that’s the mentality he and the team had.
“There have been so many times where we’ve come off the pitch, having played wonderfully well, and not won. Sometimes you have to show a little bit more grit and determination and the players did that in this game.”
Afobe took his goal tally for the season up to 12 with his 84th minute spot kick and he followed it up with another celebration dance – one which his manager says he’s happy to see more of.
“When you’re so forceful in wanting to take a penalty, you need to make sure they go in the goal and he did that.
“They can dance as much as they want because the more they dance, the more goals we’re scoring and the more goals we score, the more success we’re going to have.”
The only negatives from the game were the injuries to Dean Bowditch and Kyle McFadzean, who were both forced off as a result.
“Kyle had a stiff neck, he jarred it while going up for a header and he couldn’t turn it very well so we took him off. Bowds had a slight stiffness in his groin so we’ll have to wait and see how that responds in the next 24 hours.”
Finally, Robinson reserved a special mention for the Dons supporters after their tribute to Henry Allen, who lost his battle with cancer a year ago on Monday.
“I want to give a mention to the fans for their tribute to Henry Allen during the game. It’s something that means a lot to me, personally and I know his father was in the crowd.
“I’d like to thank them on behalf of the Henry Allen Trust but I also know Dawn and Mark will be immensely thankful and proud of Milton Keynes again this evening.”
