Paul Tisdale was happy to accept substance over style after his MK Dons side made it two wins from two to start the 2018/19 season with a narrow 1-0 win over Bury.
Tisdale’s side weren’t at their fluent best at Stadium MK but were still able to pick up three points in their home opener courtesy of substitute Ousseynou Cisse’s 90th-minute finish.
“I'm delighted - really, really pleased,” Tisdale said at the start of his post-match press conference.
“We weren't particularly fluid with the ball, and we’ve got a lot of work to do in that respect, but we did what we needed to be done.
“The team showed a real attitude to play as a team and to defend, and they showed a lot of resolve. We started brightly but Bury then got into a pattern. We made mistakes but in general we defended really well.
“When you keep a clean sheet at one end you've always got the chance of scoring a late goal and we got it. It was a very timely goal from Ouss.”
Cisse’s impact off the bench was one of two major talking points from Saturday’s game along with a senior debut for Dylan Asonganyi. Tisdale discussed both in glowing terms.
He said: “Ouss has been a real delight in training. He’s been very respectful of the changes and information I've been giving the team - he was instantly engaged and he's buying into what I'm asking him to do. He came on and made the difference so I'm delighted for him.
“It's my job to strip away the things that are problems and highlight and amplify all the things he can do - the way he scored his goal is something we talked about in training.
“Dylan is a 17-year-old so he has very little know-how behind him but he's a real talent. When the opportunity presents itself to play a young player, you can easily avoid it but I like the idea of it.
“He did his very best. He had a couple of half-shots and he will really benefit from the experience. All the players gave him a round of applause after the game because a senior debut is a really big moment.”
Here is what else Tisdale had to say in his post-match press conference…
On Chuks Aneke’s absence from the squad…
“It's still not confirmed but we are in talks with another club. Until that goes through, it is what it is - it's not confirmed. It will probably manifest itself in the next couple of days whether he's going or not, but we have a lot of things to focus on here and I'd rather talk about the players who are here and gave everything for the win”
On the lack of fluid play…
“We didn't click today. We’re not trying to make mistakes or be clumsy but we are at the start of a process. I know where I want to get to and and it will be a lot of work but these results help us. We've got six points and it gives us a start to the month.”
On the performance at the back...
“Our centre backs were extremely strong again. We defended set pieces well, we were robust and were really brave. The clean sheet is so important.”
On injuries…
“It has been a really difficult time. Simon [Crampton] said he had never known a time like it. We're nowhere near full strength but things will settle down. In the meantime, if we can pick up results along the way, that will give us a real opportunity later this year.”
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Paul Tisdale and MK Dons will be back in Stadium MK action on Tuesday when they take on Charlton Athletic in Round One of the Carabao Cup.
Season Ticket holders can purchase tickets in the standard areas at a discounted rate of £10 adults and seniors, and £3 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership. Tickets in clubRed for Season Ticket holders are priced at £15 adults and senior, £5 under-18s and £3 under-12s. Season Ticket holder discount will be available up until 5pm on Monday.
General sale tickets are priced at £12 adults and seniors, £5 under-18s and £1 under-12s while clubRed prices are £18 adults, £7 under-18s and £5 under-12s.
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.
