Nervous energy amongst MK Dons squad with promotion in the offing against Tranmere
MK Dons boss Paul Warne spoke ahead of Saturday’s game with Tranmere Rovers with his side on the cusp of promotion
Paul Warne has admitted Saturday’s game against Tranmere Rovers is not like any other run-of-the-mill league game, nor does he want it to be.
Dons could secure promotion with victory over Rovers, who themselves are still looking for points to secure their own safety against relegation.
With the culmination of the last ten months of work nearly reaching it’s conclusion, Warne admitted his players have a nervous excitement about them heading into the penultimate game of the season, and the final regular season game at Stadium MK.
“I understand the lads have got nervous energy, so it’s up to us to keep them in order, keep the game nice and simple, prepare as any other game,” he said.
“It’s a life experience they have to go through. But the warm-up is different, the atmosphere is different, it’s an early kick-off which might suit us. Once game game starts, I expect the players to click into it.
“I get the nervousness, they are human, and in fairness you want them to be excited. We want the lads to go out and express themselves and play fearlessly. If you over think it, you won’t perform any greater.
“The expectation is the same as it was for the last home game against Bromley. I could tell the players wanted to play, they were ready for the battle and hopefully it’s the same for this weekend.
“It is hopefully the last home game of the season, where the families and the kids all come, so it’s a good game to play in and the lads will want to be a part of it.”
On Tuesday night, Tranmere won their first game in 12, and the first under boss Pete Wild to move them four points clear of the drop zone with six points left on offer. Knowing avoiding defeat would all but ensure their safety, Warne said Dons must still be wary of the visiting side on Saturday, knowing they will have to break down a side who have upped their game in recent weeks.
He said: “Since Pete took over, their out-of-possession data is in the top three in the league so we’ll have to be at our very best though I just think if we are at our best at home, we’re very hard to stop.
“There is also the power of emotion, and Tranmere are fighting for something the same way we are. I know it will be tough.”