Martin cannot explain inconsistent performances

MK Dons' relative struggles against teams in and around them in League One are a mystery to Russell Martin.

Heading to Plymouth on Saturday to take on an Argyle side having lost six in a row, Dons failed to fire in the same manner they did against Peterborough - a team fighting for the automatic promotion spots - four days earlier, and came out losing.

It threatened to be a similar story against Shrewsbury, where Dons had to come from 2-0 down to salvage a draw, and against Burton after a dismal first-half showing - both sides in the drop zone - with Martin's side struggling to shine in the same manner as they tend to against sides higher up the standings.

"I can't explain it," said the Dons boss. "There have been some outstanding performances against teams around us: Gillingham, AFC Wimbledon.

"It's not a mentality problem, we prepare the same for every game. I can't really explain it, but it's something we're aware of. Teams who are higher up want to impose their own game."

Having played nine games in 28 days, Dons have a week before their Boxing Day fixture against Bristol Rovers - managed by former boss Paul Tisdale. After their hectic schedule of late, Martin admitted: "Everyone needs a break. We all need a break from games, it has been a tough few weeks. And whenever we've had time to work on the training pitch, it has been backed up with a good performance in the games. We have time to work on stuff.

"When games all roll into one, its really difficult. We don't get as much time training as we want, but we've got a period of time now to work on things we need to and bounce back."