Liam Manning knows MK Dons must start putting points on the board, after they fell to a second straight 3-1 defeat.
Two second-half goals from Barnsley saw Manning’s men were beaten by at Oakwell on Saturday – a result which leaves them 21st in the Sky Bet League One table heading into the Emirates FA Cup break.
Reflecting on the loss, and where it leaves his team, Manning told the media: “The lads are disappointed and frustrated. We have to change the level and consistency at which we perform.
“I haven't looked at the table as much this season, all I know is that we need to win games, so I'm putting all my energy into the lads, and getting to the root of how we achieve consistency.
“Just because we've had a run of games where we've performed well, doesn't mean we were just going to continue on that trajectory. This is the journey we're on at the minute - we're lacking that consistency.
“Now we've got another period without a league game, but it is what it is, we can't dwell on it. We now have to go into the cup games, pick the players up and provide opportunities for some to step up and perform.”
Reflecting on the game itself, Manning added: “We didn't start the game well, conceding a poor goal which we'd set up against.
“We responded well from that and showed a togetherness and spirit to get back into the game and come in (at half-time) at 1-1, but in the second half we just didn't get going.
“Our message at half-time was that it was there for us if we believed in it, if we stepped up and took responsibility to go and grab the game. It was there for us given how we finished the first-half.
“The timing of that second goal made things extremely difficult and gave them something to hold on to. They're extremely well coached and hard to work through, but we didn't work into any areas to hurt them enough.”
On an otherwise below par weekend for the Dons, there were two positives in the form of Tennai Watson and Mo Eisa, who made their first league starts since March and April respectively.
“It's big for the group (to have them back) because they've been a big miss,” Manning said. “They have quality and experience, and emotional control and composure.
“Mo took his goal really well, and T provided some really good moments going forwards as well.”
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Liam Manning and MK Dons now turn their attention to Tuesday's Papa John's Trophy tie with Newport County at Stadium MK.
Tickets for tie will be available to buy in the East Stand and Cowshed only, priced at £12 adults, £9 over-65s, £6 under-25s and £3 under-18s while under-12s tickets are priced at £1.50. There will be no matchday price increase for this fixture.
To book tickets CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622933. Tickets will be available to buy right up until kick-off from the Box Office.
