Robbie Neilson was understandably disappointed with Saturday’s defeat at Bristol Rovers and knows his team has to improve if they are to return to winning form.
The Dons were beaten 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium courtesy of second-half goals from Tom Nichols and Rory Gaffney – a loss which saw them slip to 16th in the Sky Bet League One table and move six points adrift of the play-off places.
“We’re obviously very disappointed,” Neilson said in his post-match press conference. “We gave away another poor goal and we didn’t manage to get our feet back from there. We made a couple of changes to try and get ourselves back in the game and then we lost another goal.
“It was a very disappointing day. We had the chance to move closer to the play-offs but we didn’t manage to do that. There comes a point where we have to go and do it – we have to do our talking on the pitch and, at the moment, we are not doing that.”
He added: “We’re very disappointed but we have to stick together. We have to do better and we will continue working hard to get out of this little rut that we are in.”
Here’s what else Neilson had to say in his post-match press conference...
Mistakes need to stop
“It’s something we need to try and eradicate. We went through a period last month where we were really solid and we didn’t lose goals. Now we’re going through a period where, every game, we are giving away crazy goals. It puts you on the back foot and makes it extremely difficult so we have to try and cut it out.
“(Today) it changed the game totally – it gave them the impetus and we found it difficult to get back in after that.”
Honest words exchanged in the dressing room
“We had a chat in the dressing room and we all gave our views. We need to make sure everyone is giving 100 percent and working hard because if you’re not doing that, League One football is going to punish you.
“Ultimately, it just wasn’t good enough from everyone and we have to make sure we get better.”
Friday an opportunity to bounce back
“It will be a tough game but it’s a great game to be involved in – Friday night, under the lights, in the FA Cup. Hopefully we’ll go there and put on a performance.
“We’ll work hard in the week to try and bounce back there next Friday.”
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Robbie Neilson's MK Dons will look to respond on Friday night when they travel to Hyde United in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup.
Tickets for the tie are priced at just £10 adults, £6 seniors/under-18s and £3 under-16s in the standing area of the ground. A limited number of seated tickets are also available, priced at £15.
Travel, meanwhile, is available at £26 adults and £25 over-65s/under-18s. Season Ticket holders and members are entitled to a £1 discount on official away travel.
To book tickets and travel click here, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343.
Tickets must be bought from the Club before midday on the day of the game. The limited number of seated tickets will be available until 5pm on Thursday.Tickets cannot be purchased or collected at Ewen Fields on the night.
