Graham Alexander knows his MK Dons face a tough test at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium but is confident that his side can turn Tuesday’s positive performance into points this weekend.
Alexander’s men travel to Kent to face a Gillingham outfit sitting eight in the Sky Bet League Two table who have won three of their last five matches on their own patch.
The Dons, themselves, are searching for an elusive league victory but can take confidence from a dominant away display in midweek. Alexander wants the same again from his players only this time, taking all three points as well.
“We'll go there looking to play as well as we have done recently but turn the draws into a win,” the Head Coach said in his pre-match press conference.
“They're a good team. They started the season well but have had a difficult spell, similar to ourselves. Week-in week-out, we’ll play good teams who want to win at this level.
“We have no god-given right to beat anyone. Whoever the team is, what they've done in the past, the names, the colour of the kit, you have to earn it.
“I’ve played there many times and it’s a tough venue but this is one of the places where, if you can play well in these sorts of games and get a result, it adds more to your armoury going forwards.”
Alexander’s last two starting line-ups have featured XX summer signings, including the three who signed on Deadline Day in Joe Tomlinson, Ellis Harrison and Anthony Stewart.
Discussing how his new recruits are settling in, and what he’s seen from the additions, particularly those who arrived late, the Head Coach said: “There is more to come from them.
“When you bring in new players, they have to find their feet in a new system, a new way of playing, with new team-mates, and maybe moving house with their families too. There is a lot of upheaval, but it is what it is - that's the career.
“You bring new players in for a reason, for a purpose, and you can give them a few months to bed in, or you can say let's crack on! That's how I've seen it with our later signings - Ellis, Jack Payne, Anthony Stewart and Joe Tomlinson as well.”
Alexander continued: “We're getting closer to a fully-formed squad. The players are there, but they have to come together emotionally and I can see that increasing.
“It's been two contrasting months and that can either split a group apart or bring you closer - I can see there's a group here who are forming together as a result.
“We're understanding what each of them can bring to the scenario, who wants to win, but it still takes time to see characters and personalities in different moments and conflicts, and through disappointments or wins. All these things add up to the make-up of a player, and then the team and squad.”
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Tickets for Saturday's clash with Gillingham are no longer available to buy from the Box Office or online. Furthermore, the fixture has been declared ALL-TICKET for away supporters and there will be no away sales on Saturday at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
Can't make the game? Supporters can LISTEN to this fixture live on iFollow MK Dons for £2.50 - to purchase an Audio Match Pass CLICK HERE!
