MK Dons boss Paul Warne laments poor first half in Grimsby reverse

MK Dons boss Paul Warne accepted responsibility for a first-half display that ultimately cost his side in a home loss to Grimsby Town.

The Dons were 3-0 down at half-time against the Mariners, conceding 3 goals in less than 20 minutes and also having Jon Mellish sent off in a difficult opening period.

A second half comeback saw the Dons score at each end of the second half, but ultimately fall short in their aspiration to take a point.

Speaking after the game, Warne took responsibility, saying they had tried out a tactical tweak to try and exploit Grimsby’s formation only for it to backfire.

He said, “I have to own the first half. I went 4-4-2 as I thought if our two centre-forwards put pressure on their centre-halves, the way they play with full-backs that come inside, I thought we could stop them. We worked on it all week so in fairness to the lads, that’s on me.

“It’s just disappointing. They thoroughly deserved their lead at half-time, I’ve got no issues with that. We had to make changes during the half – Offord was on a booking and didn’t feel like he could get close or tackle so we had to change that.”

Warne ruminated that there was more than just the shape behind why Grimsby scored three goals, all of which came from moves down their left and the Dons’ right.

He said, “The goals, the shape was an issue, obviously, but none of the goals have come from a problem with the shape. They’ve come from missed tackles, not defending crosses or not stopping people coming inside. What could go wrong did go wrong in the first-half.

“I just feel like we let everyone down in the first 45 minutes.”

After the break, the Dons were able to improve in a reshuffle, frustrating Grimsby’s attack, scoring twice and playing more to his liking, but with Warne left with things to reflect on ahead of future assignments.

He said, “We were calm at half-time saying you can’t perform like that and need to show some integrity and effort. I just felt that second half, although we were a man down, it’s very difficult to criticise anything any player did. The work ethic and tackles were there. There was a bit more aggression and we weren’t trying to be too intricate and had much more of a goal threat. I leave knowing we have the players to perform but can’t perform at a level below where we should because against anyone in this league, you’re just not going to win.”

The Dons nearly stole a point late on when a Jack Sanders overhead kick narrowly cleared the bar, but Warne admitted it was just not to be.

He said, “Just from a pure keeping a 52 year old happy, if that overhead kick had gone in at the end, that would’ve absolutely ripped the roof off and been great. Not to be.”