Dan Micciche insists MK Dons are '100% in' on the fight for survival and knows that must remain the case if they are to pull themselves out of their current predicament.
Micciche’s Dons remain six points adrift of safety in Sky Bet League One after Saturday's frustrating 2-1 defeat to Charlton Athletic at Stadium MK.
They travel to Rochdale and Fleetwood Town next week – two sides also near the bottom of the table – where six important points will be up for grabs.
“It's frustrating,” Micciche said of the current situation in his post-match press conference. “I feel the supporters' hurt. They've stuck with us and we have to take our medicine.
“[The players] do believe we can stay up. If I get a glimpse of anything otherwise, they can't be with us. They have to be 100 per cent with us or nothing. If you're 99 per cent, it's not enough. Everyone has to remain positive and stick together.
"We have to be open and honest, and ask ourselves what we can do to keep this Club in the division. If you’re a six out of 10, that's not enough. We need nine out of 10s.”
“We have 14 cup finals coming up and the only way we are going to get out of this by putting points on the board. We have a plan in terms of blocking the games together and working out how many points we should be getting from each. We've got our own goals and we're working as hard as we can to achieve them."
Here’s what else Micciche had to say in his post-match press conference...
On Saturday’s defeat to Charlton...
“We started and ended well. They re-adjusted their midfield to match us, which is a compliment. In the middle, Charlton were the better team. We didn't defend with enough intensity – I wasn't happy with that at half-time and the fans were right to be frustrated. We've not really been opened up, we’ve just not had enough quality in the final third. We've not had a lot of chances but we've had enough to get something from the game.”
On missing players through injury...
“We're missing a lot of players through injury. It’s an opportunity for players to make the most of their chance.”
On Kieran Agard...
“I believe in Kieran. I see enough of him in training. He gets in good positions and we don't find him. I'm really pleased he got his goal today.”
On Wednesday’s trip to Rochdale...
“I think we all agree it's a massive game and we'll do our best to win it. It won't be season defining but we need to get some momentum and confidence into the dressing room. We're getting nothing at the moment and the clock is ticking.”
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Dan Micciche and MK Dons will look to respond to Saturday's defeat when they travel to Rochdale on Wednesday night.
Tickets are priced at £22 adults, £16 seniors/under-22s and £5 under-17s while under-3s go FREE.
Travel is available at £26 adults and £25 seniors/under-18s with a £1 discount for Season Ticket holders and members.
To book tickets and travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK/kiosk at centre:mk or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy from the Club until 12pm on the day of the game.
