'Goal-shy' MK Dons must rediscover their cutting edge
One goal in their last three games has raised a bit of concern at MK Dons
An uncharacteristic lack of cutting edge has crept into MK Dons’ game in the last three games, and needs to be addressed heading into the final five matches of the season.
Still the top scorers in the division, netting at least eight more than anyone else, Paul Warne’s side have failed to fire in the last two, with their only goal in three games coming thanks to a huge slice of luck.
Warne said: “That was because the keeper dropped it in front of Jon Mellish two yards out. We’ve been goal-shy which isn’t like us. It’s not the time for that.”
Crossing was poor all afternoon on Good Friday when Dons were held to a 0-0 draw with Barrow. Misjudging pace, height and weight on balls into the box, the head coach said his side put in 37 attempted crosses but found a team-mate on only five occasions.
Defender Jack Sanders added: “Previously this season, we’ve been ruthless in front of goal and today it wasn’t the case. We do so much attacking, crossing and finishing in training, and we have to be so ruthless whenever we’re on the training ground because that is replicated on matchdays. Everything matters now.”
A big source of frustration for Warne his side’s lack of urgency to get in the box to provide options for the crosser.
He continued: “We have to learn though that when we get into goal-scoring positions, we have to load the box, not around it. Pato has broken his nose, but he can’t be the only one attacking crosses. As a team, we all have to be accountable and fundamentally it’s something we have to address.
“No-one crosses it badly on purpose. We got in so many times in the second-half, but the ball was too high, or a defender takes it off us. Pato was inches away, Collins was, Joe Tomlinson was.”