Our manager has stressed that he wants his squad to maintain a good mindset heading into this weekend’s away game at Crawley Town.
The Dons have been training hard this week as we look to bounce back quickly from what was a night to forget on Tuesday against Mansfield Town as we came away with a 5-2 defeat.
With the big-spending Red Devils up next it is all hands to the pump to learn some crucial lessons ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Broadfield Stadium.
Here we take you through a blow-by-blow update from the gaffer as we discussed a whole range of topics after training on Thursday.
KEEPING MORALE HIGH
I want the group to remain positive and upbeat. We lost a game of football which is disappointing. I don’t want us to get too high when we win or too low when we lose. I don’t feel like we’re far away from being a really good side.
Our strikers are now scoring goals consistently and we look a real threat. We’ve shipped too many at the other end but we know we have to be better at being more solid.
A BLOSSOMING STRIKE PARTNERSHIP
Josh (Davison) had been unlucky in the first couple of games. I knew he was desperate to score. Nathan (Young-Coombes) got the plaudits against Doncaster and Josh was on hand the other day.
It’s brilliant that they are forming a partnership and a good understanding of playing together. They complement each other well and they’ve got a lot of energy. I think they’re excellent out of possession for the team as well. They’re only getting started.
AYOUB ASSAL’S FORM
I’ve got an idea of where I think his best position is. I don’t think he’s an out and out forward – I definitely think he’s capable of doing it but it’s not his most natural position.
We want to find a position for him in the team where he can get on the ball in those little pockets and go and create. He’s been brilliant at that recently.
INJURIES
Kyle Hudlin has picked up a groin injury that will put him out for a couple of weeks. He’s gone back to Huddersfield for treatment. As soon as he’s ready he will rejoin us in training.
Woody (Alex Woodyard) is getting closer. He’s out on the grass doing rehab sessions with our physio and sports scientist, he’s progressing nicely. We have to be careful with him and take our time.
Ayoub is fine, he just needed some stiches in his head after the Mansfield game after taking a knock.
OPPORTUNITES
There’s opportunities for everyone. It’s down to them to show me in training what they can do. The training sessions are as important as the matches in terms of players making an impression.
TRANSFERS
There’s a lot of conversations going on. I have an idea of what I would like to happen but it doesn’t look like anything is going to happen before the weekend. We’re working as hard as ever to improve the squad.
CRAWLEY
It’s another tough place to go. They got a new owner in and a manager with a good reputation. They’ve spent a lot of money reassembling their squad and they play really attractive football.
It’ll be a big test for us despite their start to the season. We’re confident that we can get back to winning ways and we will be going there to do just that.