Dean Lewington insists MK Dons are just focusing on the short term as they look to improve on their current standing in Sky Bet League One.
After an inconsistent start to the 2016/17 season, Lewington & Co find themselves inside the relegation places after 17 games and with that, the Club captain feels it’s important they approach each game as it comes.
“We've got to go game-by-game, get three points each time and catch the teams ahead of us,” Lewington told the media. It's a lot more short-sighted now and just about the immediate challenge.
“The long-term picture has to be forgotten about because we're in the relegation zone and our first target is to get out of that.”
That being said, Lewington does still believe places are up for grabs at the top end of the table should the Dons be able to put a run of results together, with no clear favourites emerging after the first three months of action.
“It's a really mixed up league at the moment. There's no clear favourites and a lot of teams are being each other too.
“It'll be competitive throughout so it gives everyone a chance. I don't think we'll be too far off where we set out to be if we can put together a good run.”
In order to give themselves a chance of being in the mix, the Dons will have to improve on recent results but Lewington doesn’t believe too much needs to change in terms of the performances in order for that to happen.
“I think for large periods we're moving the ball well, we're incisive and we’re getting into good areas. We have a large percentage of the ball and we're meeting the markers we've set ourselves in terms of possession and regains.
“We're just lacking the clinical edge and real dogged defending that we've had in the past. Looking at the games, it's a one or two-goal swing and that affects everything else, but especially confidence.”
He continued: “The two penalty boxes are costing us and it's proving very frustrating. We know we've got more but we've just got to get it out.”
“We've got to go game-by-game, get three points each time and catch the teams ahead of us,” Lewington told the media. It's a lot more short-sighted now and just about the immediate challenge.
“The long-term picture has to be forgotten about because we're in the relegation zone and our first target is to get out of that.”
That being said, Lewington does still believe places are up for grabs at the top end of the table should the Dons be able to put a run of results together, with no clear favourites emerging after the first three months of action.
“It's a really mixed up league at the moment. There's no clear favourites and a lot of teams are being each other too.
“It'll be competitive throughout so it gives everyone a chance. I don't think we'll be too far off where we set out to be if we can put together a good run.”
In order to give themselves a chance of being in the mix, the Dons will have to improve on recent results but Lewington doesn’t believe too much needs to change in terms of the performances in order for that to happen.
“I think for large periods we're moving the ball well, we're incisive and we’re getting into good areas. We have a large percentage of the ball and we're meeting the markers we've set ourselves in terms of possession and regains.
“We're just lacking the clinical edge and real dogged defending that we've had in the past. Looking at the games, it's a one or two-goal swing and that affects everything else, but especially confidence.”
He continued: “The two penalty boxes are costing us and it's proving very frustrating. We know we've got more but we've just got to get it out.”
