‘Sick and hurt’- Mk’s players must convert chances or it will cost Russ his job
By Cameron Gillies
It is a little over eight months now since MK Dons manager Russell Martin won a league game, dating back to his sides 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers back in February. Unfortunately for the current Dons manager results haven’t been the best going into the new season, causing frustration for fans as it sees their side follow on from last season’s disappointment.
Since Martin took over from Paul Tisdale in early November, it allowed him to set a marker on the team’s tactical philosophy and how to get the best out of his players. Despite the Scot not having a solid first season, he saw his side marginally avoid the relegation zone respectively.
Going into the summer Martin would have hoped to keep the main core of the team, allowing him to make his defensive unit more assured and organized. Whilst maintaining cutting edge up front.
By the time another rather chaotic transfer window came, Russ would have been distraught seeing main stars Healey, Gilbey and Brittan all leave. Martin wasn’t the only one associated with the club wondering how it had come to this. ‘We didn’t want to let Rhys go’. ‘Once the interest intensified, Rhys came to us and expressed his desire to leave’ said Chairman Peter Winkelman. In response to the news of Toulouse persuading the highly- rated player to join them, it seemed the forward was irreplaceable due to the budget Winkelman is willing to spend.
The puzzling window for Dons saw them bring in nine new faces including previous Derby and Irish international Richard Keogh who like captain Dean Lewington holds plenty of experience in the defensive role. After starting the 2020/21 season disapprovingly Dons see themselves rock bottom with just two points from a possible 15.
After netting in four goals and conceding eight in the league with four of those coming in the opening 15 minutes, it’s clear the Dons need to stop giving teams a headstart which has cost them plenty of points already, and were only five games in.
As Martin sees his side out pass every opponent so far this season it ranks them better off than any other in the league, it’s clear they need to work on their finishing if they wish to win games.
The possession stats for Martin’s side this season are something else. Their conversion rate, not so good
A flurry of late activity saw Dons boss bring in old team mate Cameron Jerome, who played with Martin back at Norwich City in 2015. The 34-year-old was a free agent after leaving Turkish side Goztepe at the end of last season. Despite Jerome’s age he adds extra quality to the group which the side have lacked over the years, a proven goal scorer not just at this level but in all 4-tiers of English football.
‘’I’m delighted, I’ve spoken to Russ a few times over the summer, about the project he has here and it felt like the perfect fit for me to come and play football,’’ Jerome said.
The former Norwich forward came on as a substitute in the 70th minute away at Portsmouth last Saturday, which saw Pompey ride their luck winning 2-1. Despite the dominance shown by the Dons they failed to grasp an equalizer leaving manager Russell Martin ‘fed up with being angry’ to why his side have been so unlucky so far.
With the understanding of the style and precision. Martin’s demands are slowly coming together, the question is when will this result in wins?
His side are back home at stadium: mk this Saturday when they take on in-form Gillingham who currently sit in fourth position. The game will be available on ifollow MK Dons with kick-off at 1:00pm.
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