MK Dons are expected to field an experienced squad when they face Colchester United in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy tomorrow night. Following a disappointing 3-0 defeat to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, Mike Williamson is likely to make several changes to his lineup for the match at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Assistant head coach Ian Watson noted that, unlike usual practice where young players are given opportunities, only a few academy products will make the trip to Essex for the second time this season. Instead, the focus will be on giving more playing time to first-team players.
“I wouldn’t say there will be a lot of changes, but we will be making some adjustments to the lineup,” he said. “A few of the young players will travel with us and hopefully get some minutes. They’ve been outstanding this season—Keon (Lewis-Burgess), Rian (Silver), and Damerai (Singh-Hurditt)—and they’ve earned their spot with the first team.
“Managing a large squad is tough, but we won’t hold back a young player’s development without good reason. The first-team players need to perform consistently at a high level, and if they do, the younger players will have to work harder to earn their opportunity.
“At the end of the day, this is a chance to win the game and continue improving.”
MK Dons have struggled to secure an away victory this season, losing all four of their road games, including a league match against Colchester. This poor record is further highlighted by their performance last season, with 13 defeats in 22 away matches since Mike Williamson took over in October.
By selecting a strong lineup for tomorrow’s game against Colchester, Ian Watson aims to break this unfavorable streak and give the team a vital boost in their away form.
He continued: “This is another chance to secure an away win and improve our away form, which has been far from acceptable. We need to make the most of every opportunity to boost the morale of both the players and the club.
“We see this as a vital game that we want to win. It’s important to build momentum, and we don’t want to miss this opportunity. Our goal is to go there, deliver a high-energy performance, and secure a victory.”
Leave a Reply