Dons' style takes players longer to adapt than Fraser expected

With focus beginning to switch to next season and a potential push for play-off spots, Scott Fraser admitted that was his aim for this season.

The Scot left Burton Albion last season, citing a desire to play in the Championship. But with a battle for his services commencing, he opted for Russell Martin's MK Dons and a bit to fight for promotion this season. Those plans however have seen Dons fall short of that ambition, with the side sitting 15th in League One with 11 games remaining.

Speaking yesterday, assistant manager Luke Williams said the remaining games this season would be used to continue to engrain Dons' style of play into the players so they can hit the ground running next season.Given the nature of Dons' style of play though, Fraser admitted it has taken longer for some players to adapt to the complexities of the system which has impacted on their ambitions for this season.

He said: "(Fighting for promotion) was the plan for this season when I came in, but then you realise the way we play takes time for a lot of players to get up to speed. Even since I signed there has been a lot of change.

"Next season will be about who we can keep hold of, who can we sign, recruitment will be important. I trust the gaffer and Luke to get that right, and then as players, we need to go and implement what they're working on every day.

"I came in late and didn't get a pre-season and it's the most important part, to build morale, the shape, and it took me time to get up to speed with what the manager wants me to do, especially in the way we play. I think the next 10 or 11 games will be used as a springboard for next season."