Robbie Neilson wants Tuesday’s result and performance away at Charlton Athletic to be the norm for his MK Dons side.
The dominant 2-0 victory at The Valley saw the Dons put in arguably one of their best away displays of the season and while Neilson agrees, the Scotsman hopes his team can develop into an outfit who enjoys nights like Tuesday on a much more consistent basis.
“Tonight and Peterborough have been two of the best performances we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Neilson told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“We spoke after the game and while the players and fans were really excited, we don’t want to get too excited because this is what we should do every week – we should be coming to these places and winning.
“We want to win every game. We’re obviously not going to be able to do that but we always want to perform to a high level. It should be a case of perform, win the game and then move onto the next one."
Here’s what else Neilson had to say in his post-match interviews...
On performances in both halves
“In previous games we’ve played really well in the first half and not hit the same standards in the second half but I thought today we hit really good standards in both halves. We created a number of opportunities and possibly could have scored more but it was a really pleasing night. Everyone worked extremely hard and they got their rewards.”
On work-rate
“With and without the ball we played really well tonight. I thought we were really disciplined. (Ben) Reeves and (Harvey) Barnes pressed really well and (Robbie) Muirhead was shutting people off. The three in the midfield worked really hard to stop them getting control of the game and the back four were strong as well.”
“Tonight and Peterborough have been two of the best performances we’ve had since we’ve been here,” Neilson told MK Dons PlayerHD.
“We spoke after the game and while the players and fans were really excited, we don’t want to get too excited because this is what we should do every week – we should be coming to these places and winning.
“We want to win every game. We’re obviously not going to be able to do that but we always want to perform to a high level. It should be a case of perform, win the game and then move onto the next one."
Here’s what else Neilson had to say in his post-match interviews...
On performances in both halves
“In previous games we’ve played really well in the first half and not hit the same standards in the second half but I thought today we hit really good standards in both halves. We created a number of opportunities and possibly could have scored more but it was a really pleasing night. Everyone worked extremely hard and they got their rewards.”
On work-rate
“With and without the ball we played really well tonight. I thought we were really disciplined. (Ben) Reeves and (Harvey) Barnes pressed really well and (Robbie) Muirhead was shutting people off. The three in the midfield worked really hard to stop them getting control of the game and the back four were strong as well.”
“Huge credit to Charlton for the way they organised the tributes for PC Keith Palmer. It was good to see a big crowd here to pay their respects, as well. It certainly puts everything into perspective.”
On tributes to PC Keith Palmer
“We spoke before the game about getting a two-goal victory to take us into the top half which was huge for us so we’re delighted. Now it’s about gunning down the teams above us and trying to finish as high as we possibly can.”
On climbing into the top-half
“It’s really important to get goals in those periods. Charlton are going through a difficult time at the moment and we knew that if we started the game really well, put them on the back foot and got a goal, we’d nullify the crowd. We managed to do that in the first half and then came out in the second half and did it again.”
On the timing of the two goals
" “The January transfer window is quite difficult because you’re generally bringing in players who haven’t played. It’s always going to take them time to get there, not just fitness-wise but also in terms of gelling with the team. I’ve been pleased with them all since they’ve come in but I think we’re starting to see the best of them now.
.. On January signings come to the fore.
“He’s a special talent and we’re very lucky to have him here. I don’t think he’s ready yet but he can to the top level – you can see he’s got something special and that ability that most players don’t have. The way he’s taken to the dressing, and the way the dressing room has taken to him, is a credit to him. Hopefully he’s enjoying being here and learning here. Obviously we’d love to try and get him here for another year but the ball is in Leicester’s court.”
On Harvey Barnes’ performance
