A big season ahead for Cargill after falling off Dons’ radar

He became something of a forgotten man last season, but Baily Cargill looks set to be brought in from the cold.

Making just 17 appearances for MK Dons last season, Cargill was more commonly seen running lengths of the Stadium MK pitch as part of the warm-down than he was seen as part of a starting line-up - stark contrast to being one of the first names on the team-sheet during Dons’ League Two promotion winning campaign.

Following injury though, which forced him to miss the final three months of that season, Cargill did not look at home in the League One system Dons switched to last year.

Best utilised as part of a three-man central defensive partnership, Cargill rarely got that opportunity last season as first Paul Tisdale and then Russell Martin opted to play a flat-four. Not as adept as an out-and-out centre half, nor able to displace the immovable Dean Lewington at left back, Cargill was left to wait it out for a rare opportunity. But when they came, he struggled.

At times last season, Cargill looked a shadow of himself - nervous on the ball, reactive rather than proactive, as though he’d lost a yard not only on the pitch, but in his head too.

Though he made just four appearances under Russell Martin, which culminated in a stoppage time red card against Rotherham at Stadium MK, Cargill was kept in the fold, despite barely kicking a ball again.

Even when he was not involved though, Cargill’s determination was there to be seen as he put in the work after games, running lengths of the field with the unused substitutes.

Spotting his potential but also the problems he was facing, Martin spent time with Cargill behind-the-scenes, hoping to harness the potential seldom seen last season.

“We invested a lot of time in Baily as a person as well as a player last season,” said Martin. “But his attitude was always incredible.

“He did extra work, and did all the extra challenges which were set by me.

“I know what he’s capable of, but we needed to find a way of getting it out of him. I’m not going to put any extra pressure on him but I’m really excited for Baily because I think he could be a huge player for us.”

Four months away from the game though appears to have done Cargill good though, according to his manager.

Looking stronger and fitter than ever, Cargill is expected to return to first team action on a more regular basis this campaign, especially with Dons not fairly short at the back, certainly for the time being.

And Martin hopes the break, and the forthcoming campaign will make a return to form for the former Bourmenouth man.

“It’s a really important season for Baily. He has come back looking like a completely different person, and a completely different player.

“If he is half of what I think he is, we will see the best of him this season in a style which will suit him.

“I’ve noticed a huge change, physically and mentally in Baily and I really want us to get the best out of him and I’m confident we can.

“The first week back, he has been really strong.

“He’s a huge personality in the squad, he’s a huge asset for us in the way he trains, his attitude every day and he has improved his day-to-day habits.

“I hope it all adds up to a big season for him and I’m looking forward to seeing what Baily Cargill can bring.

“Whenever you get challenged by someone in life, whether it professionally or in life, and I’ve done both with Baily, it’s how you rise to it and I’m not surprised by how he has reacted.

“He’s had to be patient, he was chomping at the bit but he understood why. His whole mentality was about proving why he deserved a position in the squad.

“There’s no doubts in Baily’s abilities as a footballer, but I challenged him on a few things, let him know why he wasn’t in the team, he took it well."