Dan Micciche insists his MK Dons side aren’t interested in the Club’s past record at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, as they prepare to visit Kent to take on Gillingham.
The Dons have failed to win in each of their six away fixtures against the Gills and haven’t avoided defeat there since 2010.
Micciche, though, has taken no notice of past clashes, noting in his pre-match press conference that the current team is vastly different to any other outfit that has made the journey to the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
“I don't care because it’s in the past,” he told the media ahead of Thursday’s game. “It's not of interest to me because it’s a different context, with different players and a different situation.
“We're focused on what we can do this Thursday. It will be difficult because no-one gives you a point in his league. However, if we get our game-plan right, then I trust the players to put on a performance.”
Here’s what else we learnt from Micciche’s pre-match press conference...
On the absentees for Thursday...
“Osman Sow went to see a specialist regarding his injury so we'll get more on that soon. Josh [Tymon] had surgery on his groin – we're expecting him to be out for another three weeks but we hope to have him back for the run-in. Marcus [Tavernier] is still ongoing. He had a fitness test at the weekend and there was some positive news but we don't want to rush it. Middlesbrough have been excellent but we don't expect to see him this week.”
On Scott Golbourne’s return to training...
“Scott is training full time with us. He had a really good session [on Monday] which was probably his most 'uncontrolled' session in terms of the movement and the unpredictability of the things he was doing – he came through it with flying colours. His experience will be huge for us – it'll be like having a new signing.”
On depth at the left-back position...
“We've discovered Robbie [Muirhead] on that side, Deano [Dean Lewington], Scott and Josh too. Ben Tilney has been excellent since I came – he has worked really hard and he nearly made the bench on Saturday, which shows how far he has come.”
On competition for places...
“Competition for places is really strong in the attacking areas too. I can't fault the lads who haven't been getting starts recently – it's through no fault of theirs, but I can only pick 11 players on a Saturday. They're making my life extremely difficult at the moment. The players who are playing know the expectation is there because there are people waiting in the wings.”
On getting through the winless run...
“It seems like a lifetime ago, those first few games! When I look back, I don't think we were lacking in ideas and I didn't not see progress – I always saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I felt we were in all the games and the scorelines showed that. I always thought things would turn.
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Tickets for Thursday's clash with Gillingham at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium are priced at just £9 for adults and £1 for under-18s.
Travel, meanwhile, is priced at £20 adults and £19 over-65s/under18s with Season Ticket holders and members entitled to a £1 discount.
To book tickets/travel click HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy from the Club until 12noon on Thursday 28th March.
