Robbie Neilson’s men haven’t enjoyed the ideal preparation for Saturday’s clash with Blackpool but the MK Dons boss is still targeting a first league win of the season.
The men from MK1 travel to the Fylde coast this weekend, just four days after an extra-time affair with Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup.
“It’s going to be a tough one, especially coming off the back of an extra-time game against Forest Green – travelling back from there in the early hours and then having to travel to Blackpool,” Neilson told the media ahead of Saturday’s match at Bloomfield Road.
“We’re going up there at a good time of year. The pitch is looking good – it will be a surface we can play some good football on and hopefully we can get a good result.
“We hope there’s a good atmosphere and we hope it’s a good game – one we can enjoy and get three points from.”
Here’s what else we learnt from Neilson’s pre-match press conference...
Trio to return
“It’s great to get the two guys back from suspension. Peter (Pawlett) has struggled in the last couple of weeks but he should come back into the squad again and be good to go for the weekend.”
Getting closer to a number nine and other targets
“We’re getting there. I’ve been saying this for a couple of weeks now but it’s taking a bit of time to get him over the line. We’re still looking at other areas as well and we’re working very hard on that. The key thing, like I’ve said right from the start, is that the players who come in have to improve the squad. We’re not far away from getting one in and I’d like to get it done as soon as possible.”
Adding depth at left-back
“We’re looking to bring in a left-back. We actually missed out on one a couple of weeks ago who was a main target for us so we’ve gone back to the drawing board and looked at targets two and three. We’re still working away at that. It’s a difficult position to fill because there aren’t a lot of players out there who we feel will take us to the next step. We’re digging away, though, trying to get the right one for us.”
Happy to wait for top targets
“It’s a long season and this initial period is the same for a lot of teams, who are still trying to build their squad. As I’ve said all along, we could fill our squad up on the first day of the window but that’s not going to bring the quality you’re going to need throughout the season. You’re better to wait and get the right ones in. The only issue you have the fitness levels generally aren’t where they need to be. Once the window shuts that’s when we’ll really gear up and push on.”
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Blackpool are priced at £22 adults, £18 seniors and £10 under-19s while under-11s go FREE.
Travel is available to book for this fixture, with coach spaces priced at £29 adults and £28 senior and under-18 supporters. Season Ticket holders and members are entitled to a £1 discount on coach travel.
Tickets can now only be bought at Bloomfield Road ahead of kick-off - cash only.
