Martin is still finding the balance between short-term results and long-term goals

Rome wasn't built in a day, somethings don't change overnight, no quick fixes and other such cliches are fairly common place in football, but it's what Russell Martin is having to compete with at MK Dons.

Faced with reversing four years of downturn at Stadium MK was never going to be an instant fix for Martin when he took over last November, but the needs in the short-term too cannot be overlooked in football either.

Dons' struggles for consistency have been the key talking point of their season so far - good performances have not brought about wins, early goals have been costly, chances have been plentiful and then rare. And it has shown up in Dons' current 17th spot in the table.

That balance between the long and short term though is a balance Martin has to find though as he looks to instill a different culture at the club, while also making Dons a current force in League One.

"As a manger I have to have a big picture view," he said. "You’ll always have people that don’t buy in or understand.

"I want to progress and make sure we are doing things in a way that a high perofrming team would do and a culture that is connected to its purpose. So often football is judged week-to-week. We beat Sunderland, we lose to Hull and draw to Shrewsbury and opinion changes.

"I understand it but it’s up to me to make sure I don’t get sucked into that. I know how important it is not to get emotionally tied to results. I am emotionaly invested, but I have to manage up to 40 people. I’m invested in this club 100 per cent but we need to get results to show it’s working.

"I was asked to bring stability and identity which I feel you can’t have a clearer one. I’ve been part of very different cultures and I’ve established one I enjoy being part of and I love being at this football club from day one. It will work, I have complete faith in that and we have to justify that.

"The short-term aim is about improving on last season, which we will. Long-term, I am excited about the future and that doesn’t change at all. What I see reflected in the performances and stats is a big improvement on last year. We now have to eradicate conceding first from our game. We have to score first more often. I’m trying to balance both, but when I feel so strongly, it’s hard to give a short answer, we have to improve continuously."