Assistant Manager Matt Oakley is hoping MK Dons can continue their strong start to the season when they take on Swindon Town this weekend.
The Dons sit second and remain unbeaten after their first five Sky Bet League Two matches and have taken 11 points courtesy of three wins and two draws.
They will look to extend that good form on Saturday when they face the Robins at The Energy Check County Ground and, although expecting a tough afternoon, Oakley is confident MK Dons can do just that.
“At the beginning of the season, if you’d have said we’d have had this many points at this stage of the season, then we’d have taken that,” Oakley said in his pre-match press conference.
“We’ve done that well so far but it’s just a start. We’re a good side but we’re still learning, we’re growing and we’re getting confident.
“I’m expecting a good football match. [Swindon] have started pretty well and Phil Brown is an experienced manager, who knows what he’s doing.
“We’ll be planning and working on them [on Friday] - looking at the things we need to do to stop them and the areas we feel we can hurt them. It’s a game we hope we can go on and win.”
Here’s what else Oakley had to say in his pre-match press conference...
On the AFC Bournemouth test...
“It was [a good experience]. It was really interesting for us, as a management team, to see us against a top Premier League team. Some of our players needed some minutes as well - it was good to get them into the team. We didn’t match up to them in terms of their quality around the box but I thought we did very well. There was lots of good play in there, lots of people working hard and some young boys coming on at the end and not looking out of place against Premier League quality.”
On Osman Sow, Sam Nombe and Brandon Thomas-Asante...
“[Osman and Sam] trained [on Thursday] so that’s a positive for us. Brandon [Thomas-Asante] has been training too. Losing Sam and Brandon early in pre-season was disappointing and then obviously Osman being out with his knee as well. To see them all coming back is positive. Those three are more likely to be selections for the bench but they are now in a position to try and push for a start.”
On potential incomings before loan deadline...
“Part of what I do is work with our Head of Recruitment Liam [Sweeting] and we are always looking - we are looking for this Friday and we’re looking for January. If there is any movement, then we’ll let you know.”
On Chuks Aneke’s future...
“It’s been the same as it has been all summer - Chuks wants to play at a higher level and has wanted to see what there was out there for him, and that’s fine with us. If the window shuts and he’s still here, then it’s a clean slate and we’ll work together. If he’s willing to work hard and work himself into the team, then we’d be more than happy with that because he’s a good, good player.”
On Lawson D’Ath...
“I don’t know how long he is going to be out. I think it was a clash in the corner where Jayden Stockley fell on his leg.”
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Swindon Town are priced at £23 adults, £17 seniors/students, £10 under-21s, £6 under-18s and £2 under-11s.
Travel is on sale for this fixture, priced at £15 for Season Ticket holders and £16 for all other supporters. Coaches will depart Stadium MK at 12pm.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will remain on sale from MK Dons until 5pm on Friday.
