Martin tells Walker to keep it simple in the box

Ste Walker in action for DonsSte Walker in action for Dons
Ste Walker in action for Dons
"He's so keen to show everyone what he's about"

The world's top strikers hae 'ice in their veins' according to Russell Martin, and he wants Ste Walker to show come of that coolness when he gets into the penalty area for MK Dons.

There's no doubting Walker is exciting to watch - he drives at defenders, likes to take them on and has a couple of goals to his name too.

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But on more than one occasion so far this season, the 20-year-old has been guilty of over-playing - beating the same man two or three times before looking to get a shot away, or before the chance fizzles out all together.

Walker netted his second goal for MK Dons on Saturday against HullWalker netted his second goal for MK Dons on Saturday against Hull
Walker netted his second goal for MK Dons on Saturday against Hull

And that was certainly the case against Hull City on Saturday where Dons were beaten 3-1 as he missed a one-on-one and let a chance slip through his fingers in the second half as he chopped back and forth, letting the Tigers' defence recover. He did score Dons' only goal of the game though with an instinctive finish after 10 minutes.

It is perhaps a harsh criticism of a striker who has played fewer than 30 professional games, still learning his trade, though Martin says Walker's performances are improving all the time as he tries to prove himself in League One but has been guilty of trying to do too much in the penalty area.

"He's so keen to show everyone what he's about," said the manager. "He's getting better and better. He was good again today.

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"Ste in the first half makes a great run, if he taps it to Scott Fraser inside it's a goal. The same situation in the second half too. Ste was excellent, he's really coming into his own and is causing problems for opposition defences, but he overcomplicates it.

"But that comes with age and experience. The guys at the top level show that ice in their veins, that calmness and composure. Simplicity is best in the box. You see the goal, you shoot. We're creating the chances, we just need to keep working on it."

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