Mark Jackson has branded MK Dons’ second-half capitulation at Hillsborough Stadium as ‘unacceptable’.
Jackson’s Dons led 2-1 going into the break of Saturday’s Sky Bet League One contest with title-chasers Sheffield Wednesday, but the Owls scored four after the re-start to secure a 5-2 victory and condemn the Dons to a second successive loss.
“It's not acceptable as a team that we crumble that easily,” Jackson said in his post-match press conference. “We're just too easy to score against at the moment, and that can't be the case.
“We're coming away, again, having conceded five goals. On Tuesday, we did it from set-plays, but this time it's from open play. We have to be better. We've got to be more resolute and harder to play against.
“We had a plan, we wanted to set up to play in transition which is how we got our goals. We went in ahead at half-time and we were confident we could maintain that, but we just couldn't. When we concede the third, disappointment crept in and we felt sorry for ourselves.
“Elements of me think it's a harsh score-line. The third goal is clearly a foul - a push on Tucks (Jack Tucker) and it's hit his arm as well. It was a key moment in the game and it was a kick in the teeth from which we didn't recover.
“After that, we had to stay in the game because we knew we could still hurt them, but we didn't stay in the game for long enough.”
Jackson added: “We can't feel sorry for ourselves because time is running out and we've not got long of the season left
“It's going to hurt, conceding that amount of goals from a defensive point of view. We've got to lift each other up and we have to be better. It has to change, and change quickly.
“We have to be focussed, stay strong as a group and stick together. We've got to focus on our next win and where that's going to come from.”
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Mark Jackson and MK Dons will look to bounce back on Saturday when they take on Ipswich Town at Stadium MK.
Tickets are available to buy, priced from just £3 for under-12s and £6 under-18s while under-25s can watch from as little as £12. Adult tickets are available from £24.
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.
