Martin Allen Match Reaction

MK Dons manager Martin Allen's thoughts on the match against Swindon Town yesterday where his team lost 1-0.

Match Reaction

'I thought we played terrific to be honest with you. In difficult conditions with a strong wind blowing down the pitch in the first half, we adapted very well. We played some good football, passed the ball well and I thought we were terrific. Then they got one goal from a corner but I don't think they had another shot from inside our box or got anywhere near it, a few long distance bits, but we conceded that goal from the corner after dominating.

'I couldn't have asked for any more of the players, it's not often I will sit here and say that after losing a game - but their attitude, commitment and the quality of their play was very, very good.

'In the second half it wasn't easy against the wind but we still managed to get a few bits and pieces and dominated the game. In the last 15 minutes they had a couple of chances but I think, by that point, we were only playing with two defenders so that is understandable.

'It's the fourth game in eight days and when you go 1-0 down after playing so well it is hard to make that response because of the physical and mental tiredness. In the second half we gave everything, tried everything, played different formations - we played with four up at one point - to try to change the pattern of the game but whatever we tried we couldn't make the opening.

'I suppose you have to give Swindon credit for the way they fought, battled and threw bodies in the way of everything we threw at them.'

MK Dons Goal Ruled Offside

'I don't know whether Izale's effort was offside, you couldn't see from where we were. I don't like to mention referees but there did look like there were three or four opportunities where we perhaps should have had a penalty. The referee is closer than me so we will have to give him the benefit of the doubt.

'It wasn't to be, we gave everything we had and what more can you ask?'

Izale McLeod's Penalty Miss

'When he scores a penalty, we all score the penalty. When somebody misses a penalty, we all miss the penalty. Absolutely no one points the finger at Izale, he has been absolutely terrific for us and when he scores, we all score. When he misses, we all miss. We win as a team and we lose as a team. The players take the credit when we win and if we don't win we take what comes our way - all of us.'

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