Pitch problems could hurt Dons style at home

The state fo the Stadium MK pitch is having a big impact on the way MK Dons can play, according to manager Russell Martin.

The playing surface at MK1 looked in a bad way on Tuesday night against Norwich City U21s, though it had little impact on the result. However, Martin feels their playing style is being hampered by the bobbling surface - arguably the worst seen so far in their League One travels this season.

"It's not helpful in the way we play," he said. "We can't use that as an excuse but it's pretty evident that it's not helpful to us. The chairman is looking at how we can improve it in a short space of time.

"We've got a lot of games on it coming up, then we've got a little break of about 10 days so that'll be really important in getting it right. In the meantime, we have to protect it. The weather hasn't helped, but it's a frustration of ours. And it's a pitch that has been good over a number of years.

"It's a result of not much work on it during Covid, people got furloughed and the finances of the club. We couldn't renovate it in the way it usually would do that the end of the season so we're paying for that. We've had a fair few games on it, the women's team have played a lot on it, the Youth Cup as well.

"I can't put my finger on it, but I know they guys will work hard on putting it right."