Joe Tomlinson says MK Dons will learn from last weekend’s performance at Sutton United and make sure they are better for the visit of Harrogate Town to Stadium MK on Saturday.
Tomlinson, a Deadline Day signing from Peterborough United, was handed his first league start for the Club at the VBS Community Stadium and contributed to Alex Gilbey’s equalising goal, providing the assist for the midfielder’s 51st-minute leveller.
The full-back, though, was disappointed that he and his teammates weren’t able to go on and win the match, eventually made to pay for a poor start to the contest in South West London.
“It’s not the result we wanted or the result we felt we could get coming in to the game,” Tomlinson said when he met with the media after the 1-1 draw with Sutton.
“We felt good coming into the match off the back of (the game against Oxford United) so it was a shame to go a goal behind.
“The first half was nowhere near good enough for the players we’ve got. We came here and played their game, making it easy for them - it wasn’t until they scored that we started playing and creating chances. The first half cost us in the end.
“Coming back into it the way that we did, the boys feel as though we should have gone on to win it. The first-half cost us in the end.
“It definitely feels like two points dropped. We’ll look back on it, work on it and make sure we’re better next week.”
Tomlinson’s start was his second in succession across all competitions, having played the full 90 minutes in the EFL Trophy victory over Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.
The 23-year-old has totalled five appearances since making the move to Milton Keynes from Peterborough United and hopes to soon be fully settled and up to speed alongside his new teammates.
“I’ve not been in the team long so it’s about building those relationships for me,” he said. “I’d say I’m still a bit rusty but I’m getting into it.
“I felt like we had some good play down the left-hand side (against Sutton United) and it was nice that the goal game from there – it was a great strike! As I say, it’s just a shame that we couldn’t go on and get another one to win it.
“It’s been nice to play a couple of games. It’s about building relationships. I want to play as many games as possible and win as many games as possible for this club because it’s a fantastic honour to be here. Hopefully I can play many more games.”
***
Joe Tomlinson and MK Dons return to Stadium MK action on Saturday when they take on Harrogate Town. Kick-off is set for 3pm.
Tickets are on sale now from the Box Office and online, priced from £24 adults, £18 over-65s and under-25s, £6 under-21s and £3 under-14s if bought in advance of matchday, while under-7s can watch from as little as £1.
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, though prices will increase by £2 on the day of the game.
