MK Dons’ 1-0 win over Cambridge marked their third consecutive Sky Bet League Two and in the process – their third successive clean sheet in the league.
Alongside Jordan Moore-Taylor and Joe Walsh sits Baily Cargill – together with George Williams and Dean Lewington the back five, along with Lee Nicholls, have been in imperious form this season.
Paul Tisdale’s rearguard boasts the second best defensive record in the EFL having conceded just eight goals this season – while they’ve also gone 323 minutes without conceding a goal in the league.
Cargill, who has impressed since his arrival from Bournemouth in the Summer, believes it’s a team effort to keep the opposition at bay.
“We've learned a lot of lessons in recent weeks and we stood firm against Cambridge,” the defender told the media following the full-time whistle.
“We defended so well – Jordan [Moore-Taylor] and Walshy [Joe Walsh] were brilliant today! It's so important to keep clean sheets because we look like scoring at the moment.
“Sometimes you need to throw yourselves in front of the ball because teams are going to get in and you need that bit of last-ditch defending - we all defended well, even the strikers and midfielders.”
He added, “We've come a long way, earlier in the season, Cambridge may have nicked a goal, but it's three clean sheets on the bounce and three wins in a row - it couldn't be going much better at the moment.”
Saturday’s game was decided by Chuks Aneke’s first-half goal – his seventh in all competitions this season. The form of the striker earned praise from Cargill, who spoke highly of his teammate.
“Chuks is on fire at the moment – I wouldn't want to play against him. He bullies defenders, and when he's in front of goal, he's got composure to beat the keeper.
“He's pure strength and is such a handful. If we're in trouble, we can hit Chuks and he can keep it. Rhys Healey runs his legs off to be fair, if I put the ball in the channel I know he'll be there. It took him a while to settle in but he's in there now and fighting for that place.”
The win over Cambridge United keeps Tisdale’s men in fourth place, just three points off an automatic play-off spot. Despite their impressive start to the season, Cargill is eager to remain grounded with a lot of football still to be played.
“Everyone is getting to know the staff, there are a lot of new ideas in there. We can't get too far ahead of ourselves, but we'll keep plugging away and picking up results.
“We're a good team, we know that, but we have to keep our feet on the ground. The results will take care of themselves if we keep playing well. It's a long, long season and we're still in the early stages.”
Cargill concluded, “I think if you'd have been in the dressing room afterwards, you'd have seen how nice it was! We’re over the moon, it has been a bit easier in the last few weeks, but we've had to grind it out and they're the ones you enjoy the most."
***
Baily Cargill and MK Dons will look to make it four league wins on the bounce when they entertain Northampton Town at Stadium MK this Saturday.
Tickets are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons members. Supporters can upgrade their seat to East Centre for just £5 more while an upgrade to clubRed is available for a £10 premium.
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.
