Russell Martin was pleased to end the calendar year on a positive note, with his MK Dons side recording back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Martin’s side thumped Swindon Town 4-1 at the Energy Check County Ground, with three of their goals coming during a clinical first-half display.
Regan Poole headed home a fourth to put the icing on the cake late on, as the Dons climbed to 14th in the Sky Bet League One table and moved to within seven points of the top six.
“I'm really pleased,” Martin said in his post-match press conference. “Back-to-back wins is really important.
“We didn't have as much control as we've had in recent games but I have to take into account that we've had two tough games in a row and we're down to bare bones.
“We had a lot of chances early on to exploit Swindon, with the way they played. We haven't had that much this season, as we've been used to having a lot of the ball and teams sitting off us, but we managed to play through them and we were really clinical when we did.
“Some of the goals we've created this season have been top drawer. We've got so much quality at the top end of the pitch and tonight we showed that. The second, in particular, was a really good goal.
“I'm really pleased with the defensive side of the game too. Out of possession we were great. much as we control games with the ball, I think we're becoming so hard to beat out of possession. We do a lot of work on it, and it continues to improve.”
Martin added: “Now we have to build on this. We haven't got as many points as we'd have wanted to this point so we need to continue looking upwards, and we need to focus on winning the next game.”
MK Dons face a break of 10 days before their next outing and a further week until they are back in Sky Bet League One action. Time to up rest up, according to the boss.
“We've got to rest and recover now because we've got some tired legs as well as some knocks and scrapes,” Martin said.
“It has been a tough time with illness and injury but hopefully we can get some players back by the time we play again.
“We have a full week of training before next week’s game too so we've got a lot to work on. We can look forward to the cup game and the chance to implement our plans against a Premier League side.”
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Next up for Russell Martin's MK Dons is their Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie with Burnley at Turf Moor.
Supporters will be able to watch the tie, set for Saturday 9 January, for FREE on the FA Player - click HERE for more information!
