Martin thankful football will play on during lockdown

As the country heads towards a second national lockdown, Russell Martin believes football will give some people something to look forward to.

MK Dons did not play a game between March and September after the first nationwide lockdown, but will play five games during Prime Minister Boris Johnson's latest attempt at slowing the spread of coronavirus.

"I'm really pleased we'll be playing through lockdown," said the Dons boss. "Football is really important to people. It gives people something to look forward to, in terms of games they can watch. We've proved football is a safe and secure environment, and when there has been outbreaks they have been isolated really and contained within clubs.

"It's the right call for football and the public in general. During the last lockdown, there wasn't a lot to focus on. It's important football continues for fans and the people involved in it."

In the immediate short term, Dons' hotel plans for away trips are now under question, as well as the players' eating routines at Stadium MK as they eat in the restaurant at the ground.

But Martin hopes day-to-day life for the players will be impacted minimally.

He said: "We're on the case, looking into things operationally and logistically, whether we can stay in hotels we've booked to stay in before away games. They're all still waiting for guidance. I don't know how much will change day-to-day here with the hotel and restaurant where the players eat, so we'll have to wait and see. There's a lot of communication going on with that at the moment."

Not only operationally though, Martin says the mental wellness of his players is paramount.

"The mental aspect is the most important one," he continued. "If you're not in the right mindset for yourself, how you feel about yourself, there's no way you can perform at your best in any other part of your life.

"It's tough for them. The matches on a Saturday are often the only time they get to see their family, so even with that, it's hugely changed for them, and it is difficult for the players. And it will be for a lot of people over this next month. We have to take that into account, and make sure the players have enough time away from here but also, when they're not able to do anything or see their friends, to make sure they're not on their own.

"We're in a bubble, we can socialise with each other at training, so we're fortunate to have each other when other people haven't anyone.

"We have to make sure we're all here for each other and we look after each other, not just to perform on a Saturday but to feel positive about ourselves."