Dan Micciche isn’t closing the door on the January Transfer Window but the MK Dons Manager doesn't expect to add to his squad on Deadline Day.
On Tuesday morning, Micciche made Josh Tymon and Elliott Ward his first recruits since taking control of the Dons, bolstering a defence which recently lost Joe Walsh and Scott Golbourne to long-term injuries.
And while the 39-year-old isn’t ruling out making another signing should the right player become available, it does look as though it will be a quiet Deadline Day in terms of incomings at Stadium MK.
“I’m not expecting us to [make more signings]” Micciche told iFollow MK Dons.
“If something comes up which we have to look at then we will do so, so we’re not completely closing the door but I’m not desperate to bolster anywhere else – the two priority positions were to cover for Walshy [Joe Walsh] and Scott Golbourne, which we’ve now done.
“I’m pleased with our options across the pitch. I know people may look at our goals tally and think we should get in a striker but I think it is our job, from a coaching point of view, to help the players here get into better areas of the pitch. We’ve done a lot of work on that on the grass and in video analysis since we’ve been here and we’ll continue with that.”
While that might be it in terms of players arriving at Stadium MK, there might be one or two outgoings on Deadline Day, with Micciche telling iFollow MK Dons that some of his younger Dons might head out on loan to gain valuable first-team experience.
“We may perhaps send a few of the younger lads out on loan,” he revealed. “Our squad is quite big at the moment and it’s important we support our young players’ development – it’s great for them to play Under-23s football, which Eduardo is doing a great job with, however it’s important they get some first-team experience.”
Here’s what else Micciche had to say in his transfer update with iFollow MK Dons...
On Tuesday’s double signing...
“They were both our first-choice targets for those positions so I’m very pleased to get the deals over the line. There was some competition from other clubs for both players so I’m grateful, first of all to their first-team managers for allowing them to come here, and also that the two boys saw best to come here.”
On Josh Tymon...
“We’ve got Dean Lewington, who is an experienced left-back, so we felt it was important to get somebody with a slightly different profile. For a young boy, he’s got some fantastic experience. Watching him in training, he’s very level-headed, very mature and has a good game understanding. He’s also excellent technically which we are going to need if we are to play the way we want to.”
On Tymon moving from the Premier League to Stadium MK...
“It’s really promising. The Club, over the years, has built a strong identity and has a really good reputation in the football industry. Josh showed real enthusiasm to come here and work with us. Keith, being an ex-defender and having experience at the highest level, can help develop Josh’s game and he’s also got Dean Lewington to learn from as well. I hope that I can add something as well to help bolster his development.”
On Elliott Ward...
“Elliott gives us something different. He’s very experienced, he’s won promotions at different clubs and he’s come from a club who are high up in the league. There was interest in him. He brings great experience and he’s got great standards as well. He’s extremely professional and has kept himself in terrific condition. Hopefully that will rub off on the younger lads in the dressing room.
On the experience that Ward brings...
“We wanted to get the balance right in the changing room with young players but also players with that experience. We needed more leaders and characters in the dressing room and I believe Elliott gives us that.”
