Houghton wants to be more influential for MK Dons

Midfielder is becoming one of Dons' key men, but he feels he can be better
Jordan HoughtonJordan Houghton
Jordan Houghton

Jordan Houghton has emerged as one of MK Dons' most improved players under Russell Martin but he feels there is still more to come from his own game.

Acting as the vital lynchpin in midfield, acting as the first port of call when keeper Lee Nicholls passes out from his penalty area, the 24-year-old has gone from strength-to-strength since Martin took over from Paul Tisdale in November.

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Houghton continues to impress Martin in Dons' lynchpin role

"In the last four to six weeks, I've kicked on another level," he said. "Coming off every week, I want to be dictating games like I did the Bristol Rovers game, and I know I can do that. I know the system suits me a lot more, I've got a manager now who really believes in me and vocalises that. It's nothing that I can't do, and there is still better performances out there.

"I feel like I'm doing well, but there are a lot of things I can do better.

"We often discuss how teams may set up to put me off my style. For me, it's pleasing to come off the pitch and someone has tried to man-mark me because it shows I've done something right. If a game went by and a team didn't put a man on me, I wouldn't be doing my job right because most of the play comes through me.

"If I'm doing my job properly, teams should be worried by me. But it comes hand-in-hand with the boys at the back doing the business and the boys up top giving us that threat. It's pressure though, it's difficult and I need to be one step ahead and think about what they might do to stop me getting on the ball."