Keith Millen may make changes for Saturday’s season finale with Shrewsbury Town, but will still be requiring his MK Dons side to put in a performance for the supporters
Millen’s Dons travel to Montgomery Waters Meadow on Saturday where they will be looking to sign off a disappointing season on a positive note. Kick-off is at 5.30pm.
“It will be a tough game,” Millen said in his pre-match press conference. “Paul Hurst has done a fantastic job there - I think they're probably the surprise of the season.
“They're a very fit, athletic, hard working team and that's what they've been about all year. We've done our work on them and we will have to match their enthusiasm, at the very least.
“I'm going to pick the team I think will win the game. Whether that's looking at the loan players, or we look at some of the players who haven't had a lot of game time. Regardless, I'll pick a team who I hope can put in a performance.
“We aren’t stepping off it. I've not given extra days off, I've not let off in training and we are working just as hard. I have to make sure we’re still driving forward and I want that on Saturday. We've not drawn a line on the season, because we've still got a game left, but I don't want any more doom and gloom.
“It gives some players the chance on Saturday to stake a claim for next season. The pressure is off but I want to know who's mentally tough and who can perform against a good team.”
Here’s what else Millen had to say in his pre-match press conference...
On what side to expect from Shrewsbury Town...
“They're in the play-offs and they've been safe there for a while. It's a tough task sometimes to be in that position - saving their legs for the play-offs but also making sure you’re still switched on. They won't want to pick up injuries either.
On meeting with the Chairman...
“I've got a conversation with him [on Friday] but that's not an interview or a meeting as such, just a catch-up we usually have. There's a process in place and there's a panel who will shortlist the managers who have applied and they'll go through the process - I'm a part of that process. I don't know when that will be but I expect to hear about it next week.”
On the futures of players...
“We've got a few out of contract and loan players, and there's always a natural turnaround of the squad - that's good because the squad needs to be freshened up. I've been working hard with the recruitment team about who we need to keep, the areas we need to strengthen, the type of players and the balance of players. It's not a good balance at the moment so we need to address that, and we've been doing that for a couple of weeks. I'll keep doing that because we don't know how long it will be before they appoint a manager. If the work is done behind the scenes, he will be on the front foot straight away.”
On his future as Manager...
“I think it will depend on where the chairman sees it. I like working here, I know the group and I know what needs to change. I know what success looks like and I think I can bring it to the Club. I will tell the chairman that and I'll tell him how I see it, whether I stay as manager or assistant manager. I'll put my point across but it will be a two-way thing. I won't just say yes to whatever they offer me, it needs to be right for me. I want to take this Club forward and the Club needs to put things in place to make sure it does move forward.”
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Tickets for Saturday's evening clash with Shrewsbury Town are priced at £20 adults, £15 seniors/students/young persons, £8 12-18 year-olds and £6 8-11 year-olds while under-8s go FREE.
Travel, meanwhile, is priced at £21 adults and £20 seniors and under-18s with a £1 discount for Season Ticket holders and members.
To book tickets/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 5pm today.
