Ethan Laird is currently amidst the first loan spell of his career and says he couldn’t wish for a better place to play his football than MK Dons.
Russell Martin’s heavy focus on possession, intensity and pressing high up the pitch are all parts of the game the 19-year-old enjoys.
Laird has come from an Under-23s side that likes to play a similar style to the Dons and says his time at Stadium MK has been more than enjoyable so far.
“I couldn’t ask for anything else, to be honest,” Laird said when asked how he’s finding his first loan. “Our confidence on the ball shows in how to play football and us controlling the game helps us out. We can put the energy into going forward or pressing - I really do love the way we play.
“My A-Game is attacking and I’ve been enjoying my role in the team to be honest. The defending part for Russ is focusing on positioning and pressing – we just do it higher up the pitch. We have the ball more than most so I guess I do more attacking, but if we lose the ball it’s about getting the ball back ASAP.”
Laird is one of four January arrivals with Charlie Brown, Matt O’Riley and Harry Darling all entering the side during the Transfer Window. It can be difficult for new faces to settle in, but Laird believes the togetherness has helped the new faces settle in a lot quicker than usual.
“For me, personally, it’s easy to get along with everyone because we all have one goal and one love which is football - we want to do as well as we can and wins games. The new lads, even though I am one, they are great guys. The manager wouldn’t bring them in if they would spoil the team.
“We have gelled and the new lads that are coming in will help us a lot. We should always go into games with confidence because the way we play is brilliant. If we have confidence in the manager's philosophy - we will go out there happy and enjoy ourselves.”
