Last season will give Dons a boost into new campaign

Having a few months at the end of last season to lay the groundwork of a new style of play will pay dividends for MK Dons this season according to Luke Williams.

Russell Martin being installed as manager in November brought about a lot of changes in the way Dons looked to play football compared to Paul Tisdale's era, not least deploying a deep passing method beginning with keeper Lee Nicholls.

While it's a style which is easy on the eye, the players have admitted there is a lot to consider while using it but are eager to see it succeed next season. Dons' assistant manager Williams said the few months they began to put the pieces together though will stand them in great stead for the forthcoming campaign.

"Last season we were asking the players to work in a way that was different to how they were before with the pressure of a relegation fight," he said. "They were fantastic though and played out of relegation in real style and that is rare.

"To be able to have the chance to do it in a more relaxed setting is better and the guys are probably putting pressure on themselves – that’s a good sign – but we need to help them to relax.

"What was brilliant is the manager getting his ideas out from the start. It would’ve been perfectly acceptable for Russ to not do it the way he wanted and not have a style and it be about tin hats and just getting out the mess. Russ went beyond that and I’m starting as I mean to continue, I’m sure I’m biased but I think that’s brilliant. For a manager in his first job under pressure, to set his ideas out from the beginning is impressive.

"If I was a player in the dressing room I’d know he was serious. There was a clear style of play and work that we needed to do. To start the work last season has certainly given the players real clarity and belief that this is what we’re doing."