The Welshman was challenged to provide more than just goals

It was another goal-scoring performance from MK Dons striker Aaron Collins on Saturday, and one which made more of an impression on Paul Warne.

The head coach dropped the Welshman for Wednesday night’s trip to Wigan Athletic, but saw him come off the bench to net Dons’ only goal of the game in a miserable 3-1 defeat. On the night he said while Collins’ goals had been a positive, his overall performances were not up to scratch and that he needed to bring more to the table than just his goals.

Back in the side to start against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, Collins’ squandered a one-on-one having rounded keeper Conor Hazard before firing wide. Instead though, he scored a corker from 25-yards to get Dons’ comeback underway, before teeing up Callum Paterson to equalise just a few minutes later.

While he limped out with what appeared to be an ankle issue before the end, Warne said he was happier with Collins’ overall performance.

“I would have loved him to score that chance in the first-half when he rounded the keeper,” he admitted. “Collo’s good in those moments.

“You want every player to be brilliant at everything. If you had (Gianfranco) Zola in your team, he isn’t going to be the one who goes 80-yard runs and does a sliding tackle, and I understand that.

“But Collo’s effort to win the ball back was excellent today, and it needs 11 players like that.”

Collins and Paterson were often Dons’ leading men last season, but it was the Scot who has missed out predominantly this season, with the signing of Sam Nombe. But last term’s top-scorer made a big impact off the bench, playing a part in all three of Dons’ goals in the 3-3 draw in south Bucks.

“Pato caused a different problem,” Warne continued. “We caused problems in the first-half down that right-hand side, we just didn’t have anyone on the end of them.

“Sometimes you need a change of player. He’s good in both boxes, and a proper man. We needed a bit of physicality.”