Paul Warne pleased with MK Dons' defensive resilience in draw with Leicester City

Paul Warne praised his MK Dons’ side for their defensive work as they shut out Leicester in a 0-0 draw at Stadium MK.

The Dons boss spoke after a 0-0 draw between the Dons and the Foxes, in a match which saw the visitors have a lot of possession and chances without being able to find a breakthrough.

While Warne felt his side could’ve done more going forward, he was still pleased to see his side put in the graft to keep out their opposition.

He said, “I think physically, defensively, we did everything we could to keep a clean sheet, which we did. Massive respect for the front line all the way through – I know Craig (MacGillivray) got man of the match, but it was led by Sam (Nombe) at the top and he was excellent, and nine other outfield players who gave everything. The subs came on and helped, which was good. That part of our game was really good.

“They’re a really good team who pull you apart and ask questions. We made a lot of saves but it was predominantly shots outside the box. But I just wish we had a little more personality on the ball when we got it back.

“In these kind of tight games, you might nick one on the counter attack but a couple of our counter attacks just fell on the last pass and then you’re looking on a set piece, but our set pieces let us down.

“Massive credit to Leicester – very good team and we did everything we could to stop them. We did, but we unfortunately didn’t score at the other end.”

Warne said that he felt the team had shown positive qualities so far, even if he felt that his team could be on more than the 3 points they have picked up from their 3 games so far.

He said, “There’s no getting away from the fact we’ve come up from League 2 and half my team were players who came up with us last year playing against two former Championship teams and a real contender as well. So I think we’ve matched at times, however, I am greedy and would rather comfortably be the best team in the league who smokes teams.

“We’re still disappointed with the late goal conceded at Oxford, and today, we could’ve won or lost it in the last few minutes. I’m glad we got a point but if we’d got 3 points at Oxford, we’d have 5 and I’d be happier. Three points from three games isn’t ideal but we haven’t lost and in games where you’re not the better team, just don’t lose. That’s what I leave here today happy about.”

Reflecting further on this, Warne added, “It’s three different draws – at Oxford, we were the better side, Huddersfield was a game of two halves and today was a bend-don’t-break performance. Massive respect to how they play, move the ball quickly and ask questions of you. They’re going to have an amazing season but I still expect us to have an amazing season.

“The lads put their bodies on the line, there was some fatigue and I’m just a bit disappointed we didn’t ask more of them from our set-pieces. That’s the big bug-bear from me today but I can’t knock how disappointed and tired they are. I leave with more good feelings than negatives and as a manager who’s head is normally full of negativity, it’s pleasing to see the lads are determined not to lose.”

With the window closing at 11pm tomorrow (01/09), Warne said that the fact the transfer deadline was on a matchday for much of the EFL would likely see most of the business done early. He also revealed he would be in attendance of Wycombe’s match against Sheffield Wednesday ahead of the Dons’ trip to Adams Park next weekend.

He said, “I do find it very odd that its on the Tuesday. I had it one year that I was managing away at Nottingham Forest and had a player signed then in the warm-up, someone came up to me to say he’s changed his mind and gone somewhere else. I just said, “What?”. It’s just absolutely mental.

“Me and Richie (Barker, assistant) are going to watch Wycombe and Sheffield Wednesday game, with them next, it’s an opportunity to watch and my phone will be beside me so I can do lots of comedy, “What, how much?” moments.

“It is a strange day and because of that, I expect a lot of the business to be done by midday Tuesday. Normally, if you see behind the scenes, there’s a lot of phones and rallying. But with so many fixtures being on Tuesday, it’s a bit awkward.”

Having signed 8 new players so far, Warne said that a deal could yet be done in the final hours of the window.

He said, “There’s always deals to be done. I want more pace and athleticism in the team. The lads were absolutely shattered by the end so if I can get some young legs to help the experience and quality we currently have, we have to investigate.”