Mark Jackson says MK Dons must turn their attentions quickly to their upcoming games and the opportunity to take points off the teams in and around them in the Sky Bet League One table.
Jackson’s Dons were edged out 1-0 by promotion-chasing Ipswich Town at Stadium MK – their third straight defeat in their third successive match against a team inside the top four in Sky Bet League One.
The Dons’ next five fixtures are against sides ranked 15th or lower, starting with Tuesday’s trip to Lincoln City, and Head Coach Jackson wants everyone’s energy and focus to turn to this run of matches.
“This is where it starts now,” Jackson said in the aftermath of Saturday’s defeat to Ipswich.
“We are in a mini-league from now until the end of the season, where we're playing a lot of teams in and around us. This is where we need to come to life and we need to start picking up the three points.
“We went into these last three games against the top teams aware of the challenge but we always believed we could get something from them. We've come away with nothing and we have had to deal with two heavy defeats as well
“I am appreciative of the fans and their support. They always get behind the team and it’s important they support the team now, even in tough times. That’s what we’re going to need in this last period now.
“We have to have a mindset where we need to whatever it takes to score goals, to keep the clean sheets and to ensure that we get the points on the table to ensure our safety.
“As I looked around the dressing room I could see the intent from the players was there. Of course they’re hurting a little because of the result but their intent is there, 100%, to stick together as a group for these final fixtures.
“They seem ready for it and that work starts now. It’s about how we recover and how our mindset is going into Monday’s training and in preparation for Lincoln.”
Reflecting on the defeat to Ipswich, Jackson said: “We were up against a really good team and a Championship squad, in my eyes, with the talent they have got.
“We had a plan which the lads stuck to. We knew they could play and if we gave them the opportunity to do that then they would hurt us, but if we stayed in the game, we could really go after it towards the end.
“If you open up too early against a team like that Ipswich then they can kill the game off and we saw that in last two results against Sheffield Wednesday and Bolton. We didn't want to put ourselves in that predicament but it didn't happen for us going forwards.
“(The five-shot chance) was a great opportunity for us to get on the scoresheet but, unfortunately, we couldn't take it. Then, we conceded what we thought was an avoidable goal – we always talk about when and where to play and playing straight passes into midfield, so it was disappointing to concede like that.
“The positive thing for me was that, after that, we stayed in the game and that was really important coming off the back of two heavy defeats in the last two games.
“We’ve talked a lot about the mental state of the players, which was obviously going to be fragile. It’s been a difficult week for us as a group, a challenging week, but the plaers have shown great mental toughness and our defensive display was much improved.
“Ultimately, it’s not produced us any points today but it's important that we are now focused on this next group of games.”
Jackson also provided an update on the fitness of Daniel Harvie, who missed Saturday's game due to a knee injury suffered at Sheffield Wednesday.
“There's no damage to his knee but there's a lot of information and irritation," Jackson revealed. "It’s his left leg as well so we had to be really careful with him this week.
"We, effectively, shut him down but we will assess him tomorrow and see where he is. Hopefully we can get him back on the training pitch on Monday and then we'll see whether he can be part of the Lincoln game.”
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Mark Jackson and MK Dons will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they travel to the LNER Stadium to take on Lincoln City.
Tickets are priced at £24 adults, £19 over-65s/18-21s and £10 under-18s. To book tickets CLICK HERE, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 01908 622933. Tickets will be available to book up until midday on Tuesday.
Can't make the game? Supporters can WATCH this fixture live on iFollow MK Dons for £10 - to purchase a Video Match Pass CLICK HERE!
