MK Dons face their longest trip of the season this weekend but boss Robbie Neilson doesn’t want the journey-time to be an excuse.
Neilson’s side have already travelled close to 1,000 miles to and from away fixtures at Forest Green Rovers, Blackpool and Blackburn Rovers but must contend with a 455-mile round trip on Saturday.
“Long trips can have an effect but you just have to get on with it because everyone has to do it,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference.
“We just need to make sure we're in as good a condition as we can be for the game.”
The men from MK1 will be looking to make it two wins from three at Home Park and while expecting a tough afternoon against the Pilgrims, Neilson has confidence in his team.
“The coming games are important for us because they give us that opportunity to pick up the points. We want to get ourselves going and get ourselves up the table.
“Saturday will be a tough game. It’s always difficult down there because they’ve got a really good support and they've got a good home record.
“We expect to go down there and put on a good performance – if we do that hopefully we will win.”
Here’s what else what we learnt from Neilson’s pre-match press conference...
Ethan Ebanks-Landell being assessed...
“We've kept him out of training this week but we're putting him back in today to see how he does. He had a similar issue a few years ago but we've done a lot of work on him in the last couple of days so we'll hopefully have him back soon.”
Joe Walsh still sidelined...
“He will still be out. We don’t expect him back for another fortnight.”
Kieran Agard and Osman Sow set to return...
“They have trained the whole week so they're both fit and ready to go. Getting them back bolsters that area of the pitch quite significantly.”
Deadline Day signings settling in...
“I’ve been really pleased with them. Alex (Gilbey) and Scott (Golbourne) are a little bit older and have done this thing before whereas it’s a little bit different for Aidan (Nesbitt) coming in. All three have been great and I’m really pleased with them.”
Chuks Aneke back in match action...
“It was good to see Chuks back. His fitness levels still need to improve but that will come in the next couple of weeks. It’s just good to see him out there doing what he does best.
“He’s going to be a key player for us but the important thing will be keeping him fit and getting as much game time out of him without pushing him too hard. He'll be gradually put back into the team and he will be in and out throughout the course of the season.”
Callum Brittain impressing...
“When we first came in, we knew he was a player who would have a real chance here and whenever he has been given a chance in the first team, he has played very well.
“Whether he starts or doesn't start depends on a few factors but he's a player we have high hopes for. Eventually, if he keeps progressing the way he is, I see him as a starter for us but at the moment I see him as a development player.”
Difficulty in developing young defenders...
“Strikers can get the odd 15 minutes here and there whereas defenders, generally, don’t get that luxury and have to come and play from the start. It’s a different development process with them.”
Pleased to get Under-23s season up and running...
“I was really pleased with it. I’m pleased we've now got a reserve team for some of these players.
“When I first came in, our feeder team was the Under-18s, who were playing against kids and then being expected to take the step up to the first-team environment. We also had that group in the middle who were too old for the Under-18s and weren’t playing any football at all.
“It'll be great for them, great for the development of young players who are just that little bit above the Under-18s and need to push into the reserves to progress themselves.
“It's a good commitment from the Club and hopefully we can advance these players who aren't quite ready for the first team yet.”
***
Tickets for Saturday's clash with Plymouth Argyle can now only be bought at Home Park ahead of kick-off.
Prices are £23 adults, £18 seniors/under-22s and £10 under-18s , while there is a Family Ticket available for £29.
Can't make the match? Follow the action LIVE with iFollow MK Dons - click here for more information!
