Paul Tisdale insists MK Dons are fighting to turn their form around but recognises the team must stop conceding goals at the rate they are, if they are to begin a resurgence.
The Dons were beaten 3-2 to Swindon Town at Stadium MK, suffering their seventh loss in their last 10 games which is form that has seen them slip out of the play-off places.
After a disappointing first-half performance, Tisdale’s side displayed much more drive in the second 45 and the Dons boss believes that attitude is what will be needed to reverse the Club’s fortunes, as well as an improvement at the back.
“We're so disappointed with the results recently but we have to go again and we have to show that fight that we showed in the second half to pull us back,” Tisdale said in his post-match press conference.
"We're all trying so hard but we’re going through a run where our confidence has gone a bit. We had fight in us today but we have to channel our efforts in the right areas – we were waiting for things to happen in the first 30 minutes and probably got what we deserved.
“Well done to Swindon, they played really well and scored three goals, but we can't keep doing that. If we're going to win games, we cannot concede three goals. It has happened too much in recent months and we have to stop it happening.”
He concluded: “Im disappointed, really disappointed, with the result. We put a lot of fight into that, and we now have to go again on Tuesday.
“The dressing room is good, they’re showing fight and saying the right things but we now have to show something extra, show an extra dimension. I believe in the players.”
Tisdale’s men had put themselves in a good position to earn a result against the Robins when Jake Hesketh cancelled out Michael Doughty’s opener with a stunning first goal for MK Dons.
However, visitors Swindon scored a second within a minute of the re-start - a heart-breaker in the words of Tisdale.
“We responded with a fantastic goal from Jake Hesketh, and we all know how it feels to be leading away from home and then to concede a goal. That next 10 minutes was going to be ours and we gave it away in 20 seconds.
“It's heartbreaking but we cannot continue to make those mistakes.”
Swindon’s third goal arrived from the penalty spot following a foul on Kaiyne Woolery. There were plenty of complaints about the decision from those inside the ground but boss Tisdale was more focused on build-up to the goal and what his team could have done to prevent the attack.
“I'm more disappointed we got caught on the counter,” he said. “We spoke about it many times before the game so that was, from my point of view, something I'd like to concentrate on more.”
