Head Coach Liam Manning believes a lot will be gained from MK Dons’ five-day pre-season camp in Ireland.
The Dons will spend this week across the Irish Sea, being put through their paces by the coaching team as well as the Sports Science and Medicine department.
While a lot will be gained in terms of fitness and tactics this week, Manning is also hoping the camp will bring his squad together off the pitch as well.
“It's a really good setup here and (the camp) has started well,” the MK Dons Head Coach told the media in his latest press conference.
“The weather has actually helped because it's not too hot so we can really push the lads physically.
“We've got a few new additions and it can be hard to get those players up to speed with the culture and to develop those relationships, so this week is important because you can accelerate the team building.”
Conversation in the press conference, as it usually does at this time of year, quickly turned to transfers, with Manning providing an update on where the Club are it in terms of reinforcing their squad ahead of the new season.
“People want us to sign people quickly and get them through the doors but we have to get the right players,” he said.
“We're still working hard on a couple of permanent additions, because we're working for the short and long term of the club, but (loans are also an option).
“Hopefully we're in credit from last season with a few of the clubs for the work we did with the loan players and the culture we have. I think the Category 1 clubs see us as a viable options to send their players to.
“But, the Premier League is starting later so the players are coming back later, and a lot of the clubs will want to keep their young players in and around the senior squad so those deals will come later.”
Manning also addressed the departure of Scott Twine and how his development and sale was another example of the Club’s trading model working to full affect.
“If someone's journey goes quicker than the first team, and the deal is right, we have to be open enough to take those offers. We were in a strong position to command a big fee for (Scott Twine) to set us up for the short and long term of the club.
“When you look at Matt O'Riley going to Celtic, Harry (Darling) and Fish (Andrew Fisher) going to Swansea and now Twiney - we're moving players to higher levels. That has to be a huge compliment to Liam Sweeting and his team, but also to the coaches here and how they progress the players.
“It also makes us a really attractive prospect for players to join but let’s be clear, we don't just want to be a developing club, we want to retain players, where we can, in order to go up - that's the aim.”
Here is what else Liam Manning had to say in his latest press conference…
Will Grigg training with MK Dons
“Griggy is out of contract and while he is fully fit and raring to go, sitting in the gym and training by yourself is not the same as being in and around a team setting. He has good relationships with people at the club from his previous times here so it was a no-brainer to give him a good, strong week of training. It was an opportunity for both sides to benefit.
“It’s also given us, as coaches, a chance to get to know him. His priority is to get to full fitness again but it’s a discussion we will have at the back end of this week or the start of next week. It's not one I'll say definitely no to, but not one I'll say yes to either. I'll sit on the fence!
“He won't be short of options given his career and the quality he has, but we'll see how this week goes.”
David Kasumu’s future at Stadium MK
“Nothing has changed (since last week). We've made him an offer but we're getting to the stage now where we're having to plan without him. As it stands, I'm working as if he's not here.
“It's part of football. My priority will always be the team, and what the team needs. We have to have people who are all-in because we can't carry. We're creating a group of players who are fully committed to the club.”
