Martin nonplussed by Dons’ final position in League One

Russell Martin admitted he has little feeling for his side’s 13th place finish in League One.

Dons could have ended their campaign ninth with a win over Rochdale on Sunday, but the 3-0 reverse at Stadium MK saw them drop to 13th come the end of the day.

Though it wasn’t a top-half finish, Martin said the improvements shown by his side is night and day compared to last season, and he takes more from that than any finishing position could.

“I haven’t really got a feeling about it,” he said. “In the context of everything, losing players in the summer a lot of people thought we were doomed and that it would be a real battle this season.

“It started like that early on, although performances were excellent, it was getting tough league position-wise, but I didn’t pay too much attention to it then and I’m not doing it now. Until we’re in a position fighting at the top end, whether we finish 10th of 13th only makes a difference on how it looks. Tenth looks better on me and the club.

“I’m disappointed with how the final day went, but I have to look at everything and not just the league position - how far we’ve come, what we’ve evolved into, how the players behave, train and play.

“It gives me a lot of confidence, and it’s up to me to improve that league position and everything else next season.”