Learning experiences from games against Gillingham

Russell Martin said he has learned a lot from his two previous encounters against Gillingham.

Dons were soundly beaten at Priestfield last season, going down 3-1 in December 2019 when the sides last met down in Kent. But Gillingham also proved to be Dons' first win of this season in a comfortable 2-0 victory at Stadium MK in October 2020.

Games at Priestfield have not been pleasant for the most part for Dons down the years with just one win in seven visits but Martin says he learned a lot of lessons last year's loss, and feels it kick-started Dons' revival not long after he took over.

"We took a lot from that Gillingham game," he said. "It was the start of our improvement. It’s a tough place to play, against a manager who knows the league really well. His team have a good identity and they run hard and have great intensity.

"They are very good at what they do. The guys have shown we are a different team away from home this season and we have to match ll of that and try impose our game. It’s a good test against a team close to us in the table, they should’ve won at the weekend. It’s a game I’m excited for and one we have to show a lot of character in that we have done so before."

On the game at Stadium MK earlier this season, Martin added: "That was a strong dominant performance from us at home. We had to work very hard for it because of their strengths. We had composure, control and detail on the ball. We’ll have to do the same tomorrow against a team feeling confident. It’ll be an interesting game and a good challenge for us."