Liam Manning admitted his side lacked quality in both boxes during their 3-2 defeat to Peterborough United.
Manning’s men were unable to follow up their win over Oxford United on Saturday as they fell to their third home defeat of the season, with most of the damage being done in the first half.
Behind after only two minutes, the Dons conceded another prior to the interval. Posh then added a third goal early in the second – one which appeared to put the game to bed but, in the end, proved to be the match-winner after a late Dons rally saw them score twice in the closing stages.
Despite the fightback, though, Manning wasn’t happy with his side’s performance, telling the media: “It came down to both boxes where we lacked quality and conviction.
“The players don't deliberately go out and not perform. We want to start games on the front foot but when you concede after two minutes, you're not able to do that.
“Too often, we played into traps and areas they wanted us to go, which shifts momentum in their favour. We did our homework and we knew they'd be dangerous in wide areas with the threats they have, but they still caused us problems - it's really disappointing.
“We got into a couple of good areas, but we have to have more belief and confidence to go for it - what have we got to lose? The fans want to see that, they want to be entertained with shots and goals.
“The last five minutes is a positive, only as it shows the lads didn't give up and they pushed until the end. Those are behaviours we need.”
Saturday’s result leaves the Dons in 20th place in Sky Bet League One but, with games coming thick and fast in October, attention for Manning and his side quickly turns to what’s next.
“We have to stick together as a group. When you're having a tough period, when you're not getting the results, it's about sticking together and we've got a lot of games coming up now where we have the chance to change all that.
“We have to lift ourselves and that’s on all of us. The players have to believe and have conviction in their actions, and we have to make sure we drive that, as staff, and we'll be doing that in the week.”
Here is what else Liam Manning had to say in his post-match press conference...
On Daniel Oyegoke…
“He's okay (after limping off) but we'll need to have a look at him. He's had a heavy period recently with England U20s and he only got back on Friday. It has been tough for him on that front but hopefully he'll be okay.”
On Mo Eisa and Tennai Watson…
“They're still a few weeks away but they're ticking the boxes and progressing nicely. Hopefully, they're not a million miles away.”
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Liam Manning and MK Dons turn their attention to Tuesday's Papa John's Trophy tie with West Ham United Under-21s at Stadium MK.
Tickets for this tie are available to buy in the East Stand 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 is 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.
