Robbie Neilson knows this upcoming period of games is an important one for his MK Dons side and he will be looking for them to take full advantage.
The Dons travel to Scunthorpe United and Rotherham United these next two weekends before entertaining Plymouth Argyle and Peterborough United at Stadium MK just after Christmas. The festive schedule then concludes with an away fixture at Oxford United on New Year’s Day.
“This period is really important because we play so many games,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s visit to Glanford Park. “We’re in a period where we need to keep everybody fit and we need to go on a good run.
“These first two games coming up will be very difficult against two good teams and away from home as well, but they are two games we are really looking forward to.
“We had a good performance last week against Shrewsbury [Town], who are second in the league – we were disappointed not to take maximum points so it sets us up well to go up to Scunthorpe and Rotherham and get some points.”
Here is what else Neilson had to say in his pre-match press conference...
Osman Sow’s return...
“We knew we wouldn’t get a full match out of him but we hoped to get 45. I spoke to him at half-time and he was tired but wanted to give it another 10 minutes. We managed to get that out of him and now he can build on that.
“It is going to take time [for him to get to full speed]. He was over in China where the levels are intensity aren’t as high and he’s had a couple of little niggles so it has been stop-start for him but we’re hoping he’s over that now and we can get him going.”
Striking options...
“We’ve got some decent options in that area. I do think we need somebody to take the load off Chuks [Aneke] at times because we’re relying on him a lot to link the play – if we can get somebody else to do that as well, then we can free Chuks up to play his football.
Scunthorpe United...
“They have done well. They won six on the bounce at one point but they’ve had a little stutter in the last 10 days or so. They’ll be looking to get back to winning ways. It’s always a difficult place to go as well.
“I know Graham [Alexander] well. He will have them well organised and working hard. They have some experienced players and always a strong team at home. We know we have to go up there and compete, as well as try to play some football.”
No interest in selling in January...
“I expect there will be interest in our key players because they are good players but at this moment in time, we have no interest in selling any of our key players and there has been no interest from any clubs.
“If anybody is going to come in and make offers for our key players then they are going to have to be big offers.
Snow hasn’t hindered preparations...
“The weather hasn’t hindered us that much, although it hasn’t been ideal.
“We’ve got the dome up at Woughton and we’ve also used the AstroTurf at [Sport Central] by the train station in Central Milton Keynes. We will also use the stadium [on Friday].”
Keen to keep Scott Golbourne...
“We are keen to get something sorted. We’re in talks and we’ve got his agent coming in next week to have a chat.
“The feedback I am getting from Scotty is that he is happy. A lot of it will come down to Bristol City and what they want to do with the player as he is in the last six months of his contract.”
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park are priced at £22 adults, £15 seniors/under-21s/students and £6 under-18s, if bought in advance of matchday. Under-12s, meanwhile, go FREE!
Travel is available at £25 adults and £24 over-65s/under-18s, with Season Ticket holders and members entitled to a £1 discount.
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will remain on sale from the Club until 5pm on Friday.
