With no match this past weekend due to AFC Wimbledon’s international call-ups, Liam Manning was afforded the opportunity to reflect on what has been a hectic, but ultimately positive, start to life as Head Coach of MK Dons.
Since Manning’s arrival in mid-August, just 24 hours prior to the home fixture with Sunderland, the Dons have picked up 18 points from 10 games, suffering only two defeats and enjoying five wins.
It’s form which earned the 35-year-old the honour of being named Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month in September and also has his side sitting sixth in the Sky Bet League One table.
Despite the early success, Manning is not getting carried away and knows that hard work and cool heads will be needed if MK Dons are to repeat the results of their past 10 games.
“For me, it’s always about what can we do next, where can we improve, how do we get better?” Manning said in an interview with iFollow MK Dons prior to the weekend.
“Look, I’ve loved every minute and enjoyed my time here so far. We have a terrific group of people – staff and players – and I think that’s what makes it so enjoyable coming in every day.
“The fans have been terrific too. The atmosphere we’ve had at some of the games has been brilliant, as it has on the road. I’ve been delighted with the fans and how they have received me and the players - hopefully we can continue to reward with them with performances and results.
“With the break, it was a good opportunity to have a staff meeting and discuss where we are at culturally and what things we’ve been pleased with since we arrived, as well set things that we can do to keep improving and keep heading in the right direction.
“We had some difficult moments and some challenges. We bounced back in several games where we were behind. That all speaks volumes for the group – they are so close, so together and they step up to challenges and, over the course of a season, that’s going to be really important.
“It’s now about being able to use the experiences to keep building and heading in the right direction. It’s not always going to be like September, I understand that, and we’ll have challenging periods, and that will be when it’s important to stay calm and stay true to who we are and how we operate - that’s what will get us through.”
***
Liam Manning's MK Dons return to action this weekend when they take on Shrewsbury Town at Montgomery Waters Meadow in their latest Sky Bet League One encounter.
Tickets are priced at £20 adults, £15 seniors/disabled/students/young adults and £8 juniors while under-12s go FREE.
To purchase tickets CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622922. Tickets will be available to buy from the Club until 4pm on Friday 15 October.
