Dean Lewington knows MK Dons need to produce better on Saturday if they are to return to winning ways.
Lewington & Co fell to defeat in midweek, losing 1-0 to Charlton Athletic at Stadium MK – the first time they had been beaten in eight games but a result that prevented them extending their gap over the bottom four in Sky Bet League One.
The Dons have an immediate opportunity to respond this weekend when they travel to the Fylde Coast to face Fleetwood Town but the Club captain insists the team must raise their performance if they are to get back on the winning trail.
“We have to dust ourselves off and produce better on Saturday,” Lewington said in his post-match interview after Tuesday’s defeat to Charlton.
“As disappointed and angry as we are, we now look to Saturday. If this had been earlier in the season, I think there would have been more of an inquiry but now we don't have time.
“We're disappointed not to get anything because we feel we could have done but fortunately results went our way.
“The end goal is, at the end of the season, having as many points as we can (to avoid relegation). It's huge because relegation affects everyone – it’s not just players, it's staff, academy, budgets, the whole club. This is as big as it can be.
“We have to do everything we can to get results now to give ourselves the best chance.”
Reflecting on Tuesday’s showing itself, Lewington said: “I don't feel like we laid a glove on them. They're an awkward team to play against, and off the back of their result on Saturday, they came with a new sense of purpose so played well at times, but we were a yard off it all over the pitch.
“We get to certain areas and just overplay it. There were times where we only had one person in the box but six in a ring around it, when you've got to commit numbers and put bodies in the box.
“We wanted it too much in to feet at times, as well. Sometimes you need people running in behind and gambling, but we just didn't do that. The quality was off and we couldn't get into a rhythm.
“It was difficult after conceding. It put us on the back foot and we looked a bit ragged. It didn't help that when we did win it back, we were giving it away so cheaply. We were then out of position and it went around in a circle.”
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Dean Lewington and MK Dons will aim to bounce back on Saturday when they take on Fleetwood Town at Highbury Stadium.
Tickets are priced at £24 adults, £19 over-65s/under-25s and £8 under-16s while under-5s go FREE. To book ticket CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622933. Subject to availability, tickets and travel will be available to book up until 4pm on Friday.
