Danny Butterfield views Tuesday’s pre-season opener at Brackley Town as a good start for MK Dons as they build up towards the 2019/20 campaign.
MK Dons kicked-off their official friendly schedule with a 5-1 victory over Brackley, with Jordan Houghton, Callum Brittain, Kieran Agard, Dylan Asonganyi and Sam Nombe all on target at St James Park.
“It was the first game we've had in front of fans and it was a really good work out,” first-team coach Butterfield told the media after the win in Northamptonshire.
“It was a competitive game but the intensity we played at will only build through pre-season.
“It's nice to have scored five goals and some nice goals too. There is still plenty to work on but we're not overly critical at this stage.
“We're not thinking about team selection, who is doing well in training and who is not, just about minutes - no-one is knocking on the door at the moment asking why they aren't playing!”
While the games programme has begun and will lead the Dons up until their Sky Bet League One opener with Bury, Butterfield was keen to stress that training won’t ease up for the squad.
“I think there has to be a balance,” he said. “We've got in a few new faces and they have to understand how we play and that cannot be picked up through the games alone.
“Sometimes bellowing things from the sidelines is not the instruction they need, but needs to be done on the training pitch.”
Butterfield was also asked about the signing of Rhys Healey, who completed a permanent move back to Stadium MK earlier this week - reuniting with the team he helped fire to promotion last term.
“It feels like he is one of our own because he was with us last season,” the former Crystal Palace defender commented.
“He's an exciting signing, he's wholehearted, committed, has goals in him and will be another strong addition to the squad.”
