Robbie Neilson wants MK Dons to develop a winning habit and hopes to start that process this Friday against Swindon Town.
Neilson’s Dons face the Robins at Stadium MK looking to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat and pick up a third victory of the month – a triumph which the Scotsman anticipates will lead to more consistent results down the road.
“We need to get into the habit of winning football matches,” Neilson told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“There will be times when we play well but get beaten but I want to get to a stage where we play well and win and also play terribly and win – once you get to that level, you're a proper team.
“It won't happen overnight. It could take us weeks or months to get to that level but hopefully a win on Friday and the boost of new recruits in January can help us get there.”
“We need to get into the habit of winning football matches,” Neilson told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“There will be times when we play well but get beaten but I want to get to a stage where we play well and win and also play terribly and win – once you get to that level, you're a proper team.
“It won't happen overnight. It could take us weeks or months to get to that level but hopefully a win on Friday and the boost of new recruits in January can help us get there.”
“The squad has to be built with variety in it and we’ll try and add that in January. It won’t all happen then but we'll create a team we can constantly add to.”
“The way you're going to start the game, formations in and out of possession - can we change it from the bench?
He added: “The key is variety. In my opinion, you need variety in football because you have to keep people guessing.
“We have three key targets and we'll aim to get them - if we don't, we just move down the list to the next one.”
“If there's one early then good but if there's none early then so be it. It's important we get the right sort of player, not just someone to add to the squad.
“We've got areas we want to strengthen but there's no point in just diving in on January 1 at the first person who comes along – we'll try and get someone in early but it has to be the right person.
And while the 36-year-old is eager to bolster his side, he insists won’t be rushed into making signings.
As mentioned by Neilson, the Dons will be looking to add to their squad following Friday’s match, which is the team’s final outing before the opening of the January transfer window.
“The way you're going to start the game, formations in and out of possession - can we change it from the bench?
He added: “The key is variety. In my opinion, you need variety in football because you have to keep people guessing.
“We have three key targets and we'll aim to get them - if we don't, we just move down the list to the next one.”
“If there's one early then good but if there's none early then so be it. It's important we get the right sort of player, not just someone to add to the squad.
“We've got areas we want to strengthen but there's no point in just diving in on January 1 at the first person who comes along – we'll try and get someone in early but it has to be the right person.
And while the 36-year-old is eager to bolster his side, he insists won’t be rushed into making signings.
As mentioned by Neilson, the Dons will be looking to add to their squad following Friday’s match, which is the team’s final outing before the opening of the January transfer window.
