Making chances for Nombe will get even more out of the striker
It has been a dry return to life at MK Dons for the striker
Finding a way to get striker Sam Nombe chances in front of goal will be key for MK Dons success this season.
The front man, who returned to the new city after five years away this summer, has been a work-horse in Paul Warne’s side in the games against Norwich City, Oxford United and Huddersfield Town but has not had a meaningful effort on goal in any of the three games.
And it has been his work-rate in those opening games which has impressed the boss in the opening games, but he is keen to see the end product too. Having scored plenty of goals at both Exeter City and Rotherham United before his return to Stadium MK, Warne wants to see his team start to create opportunities for the 27-year-old.
“Sometimes as a striker you can get three chances in a game, but he’s gone three games without a shot,” Warne said. “If we can help him add goals to his game, he can be, and already is, an amazing player for us.
“Sam worked the front-line tirelessly, caused all sorts of problems and got us up the pitch. He is buzzing to be here, which is always nice. I thought he was a really good physical threat, he was backing in, he was winning first and second balls, winning us free-kicks.”
Meanwhile new signing Ryan Barnett might be wearing some limited edition merchandise after impressing head coach Paul Warne on his MK Dons debut on Saturday.
The 26-year-old came off the bench during the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town and almost made an immediate impact by sending in a cross which created a terrific chance for Ben Wiles to skid a strike just wide of the mark.
Speaking about the Wrexham man, Warne said: “If anyone wore a t-shirt that said ‘I’m a Paul Warne player’ he one million per cent is. If anyone didn’t understand how I like my football, you just have to watch him.
“The first thing he wants to do is to drive at people, to get down the outside, to get crosses into the box. That pull-back for Wilesy would have been some goal. That would have been a fitting way to win it.”