Robbie Neilson has demanded a response from his MK Dons players after their disappointing defeat to AFC Wimbledon.
Neilson’s men were beaten 2-0 on their first visit to the Cherry Red Records Stadium, with goals from Jake Reeves and Lyle Taylor proving the difference in a game where the Dons were below par for the majority of the second half.
“I'm really disappointed,” Neilson said after the loss. “We didn't stand up to the game in the second half – we got bullied and it just wasn't good enough.
“This is a huge disappointment for us but we have to move on quickly. We have to come into work (on Wednesday), be positive and be ready for Saturday.
“We now have a massive game on Saturday against Coventry (City). It's a huge game but it's one we need to get a win from as well a performance.”
Here’s what else Neilson had to say in his post-match press conference...
Positive first-half performance...
“It's not good enough that we lost the game but the first-half performance wasn't as bad as the result suggests. I felt we were better in the first half – we created the better chances and passed it better. Harvey (Barnes) had a really good chance. We just didn't take our chances and it's the small details that sometimes don't go your way.”
Lacklustre second-half display...
“AFC Wimbledon came out and pressed us really high. We made it easy for their defenders in the second half and it let them become aggressive and bully our centre forwards. You have to be able to put defenders under pressure at this level and we didn't do that tonight.”
Response at 2-0 down...
“The game was false at 2-0 because we had to chase it, change our formation and go two up front to really try and have a go to get back into the game.”
Recent form...
“We're going through a difficult time. We wanted to win today, but we haven't and now we move on to Saturday.”
“I'm really disappointed,” Neilson said after the loss. “We didn't stand up to the game in the second half – we got bullied and it just wasn't good enough.
“This is a huge disappointment for us but we have to move on quickly. We have to come into work (on Wednesday), be positive and be ready for Saturday.
“We now have a massive game on Saturday against Coventry (City). It's a huge game but it's one we need to get a win from as well a performance.”
Here’s what else Neilson had to say in his post-match press conference...
Positive first-half performance...
“It's not good enough that we lost the game but the first-half performance wasn't as bad as the result suggests. I felt we were better in the first half – we created the better chances and passed it better. Harvey (Barnes) had a really good chance. We just didn't take our chances and it's the small details that sometimes don't go your way.”
Lacklustre second-half display...
“AFC Wimbledon came out and pressed us really high. We made it easy for their defenders in the second half and it let them become aggressive and bully our centre forwards. You have to be able to put defenders under pressure at this level and we didn't do that tonight.”
Response at 2-0 down...
“The game was false at 2-0 because we had to chase it, change our formation and go two up front to really try and have a go to get back into the game.”
Recent form...
“We're going through a difficult time. We wanted to win today, but we haven't and now we move on to Saturday.”
“It has been a difficult season for everyone but the key is to stick together and making sure we remain positive – get to the end of the season and rebuild.”
Sticking together...
“I don't think so. We showed that we weren’t in the first half. This is a huge disappointment for us, but you have to move on quickly.”
Overawed by the occasion?
“We are where we are – we knew that when we came in the key was to stay up, build and try and push from there. I think we have to get to 50 points and from there we can move on. The sooner we get there, the better.”
League 1 status concerns?
