Keith Millen believes MK Dons must relish the challenge of beating the drop, as they look to build on back-to-back victories this weekend.
The Dons entertain Blackpool at Stadium MK on Saturday looking to make it three wins from three following the successes over Rotherham United and Bury last week.
Those two results saw them close the gap on the teams above them to two points and should they come out on top this Saturday, and results go their way elsewhere, they could find themselves out of the bottom four.
Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s match, Assistant Manager Millen said the team shouldn’t feat the position they find themselves in and take on the challenge of securing their Sky Bet League One status for the season.
“You can't fear the position we're in,” he told the press. “We have to keep the pressure off the players and enjoy the challenge.
“The environment around the dressing room has been really good. I've been in dressing rooms when you know you're in trouble – you look around and see the belief isn't there. We've not had that here.
“Back-to-back wins makes so much difference. It has had a really positive impact and gives the players a belief in what we're doing. There has been a good vibe since day one but you need results to back it up from a management point of view.”
He continued: “We've got nine cup finals and while we know we won't play well in every game, it's about getting points now and we need to focus on how to do that. We want goals and attractive football, but we need to win games.”
Here’s what else Millen has to say in Wednesday’s pre-match press conference...
On scoring more goals...
“The team needs to look like scoring goals and the fact that we've scored recently, gives us all confidence. If you don't look like scoring, it can drain you.”
On midweek results...
“You'll get that every round of games – some results will go for you, some won’t. One result went for us on Tuesday and one didn't – it is what it is. We can't control that but we can control what we do and we know roughly what we need. The good thing is we're in touching distance of other teams, and it keeps the pressure on them.”
On Blackpool...
“I worked there in 2012 so I know what sort of club it is. Gary [Bowyer] has done a great job there. There have been a lot of problems behind the scenes, and that has been going on for a number of years, but Gary has kept the players quote focused. They are reasonably safe, but not safe yet. They're a decent footballing side, and I'm sure they'll look to coming here to enjoy themselves – we can't let them do that. Because of how fantastic the surroundings here are, the opposition will come here and thing they want to play so it’s down to us to stop them.
On time spent at Bloomfield Road...
“It was tough but the environment brought the group together because it felt like us against the world. It was always interesting working for Ian Holloway – he's full of energy and you never know from one say to the next what he was going to do. Ian was very good at playing on that too and we had a few good seasons there. I didn't particularly enjoy living that far north but I enjoyed the footballing side of it.”
On the international call-ups...
“We're chuffed to bits with the international call-ups – it means they're doing something right, and it's a great honour for the Club to have players away representing their country. I don't agree with this rule of needing three players away – it's very harsh on clubs. If you've got international players in your squad, chances are they're key players. It's harsh on League One and League Two teams to lose key players. I don’t make the rules so we have to get on with it and it's up to the players coming in to take their chance.”
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Blackpool at Stadium MK are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s* and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons Membership*.
To book tickets click HERE, visit the Box Office/cash-only ticket booths or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off.
