Paul Tisdale happy to see MK Dons make approach against Morecambe work
MK Dons manager Paul Tisdale voiced delight as his team were able to take their opportunities to break through Morecambe.
Two second half goals from Alex Gilbey proved to be decisive for the home side, as the Dons were able to get the three points.
Speaking after the game, Tisdale praised his side’s efforts. He voiced the game shared similarities with their match against Macclesfield in their previous home outing, and that the team performed well against their opponents.
He said, “Like the last home game against Macclesfield, it was a tough 60 minutes. I told the same thing at half time in the game – don’t get tired of doing the right thing and keep the moving the ball, and eventually it changes. So I’m really pleased.
“I’ve come up against Jim’s Morecambe team for quite a few years now. They’re very well drilled at holding position then counter-attacking and finding opportunities in your half with the diagonal ball. We knew there was a danger and we had to be on our guard. As much as we wanted to pass better, it was also about not giving it away and keeping the game moving.”
Tisdale was pleased for his two goal man Gilbey to add goals to his game, and he called for the former Wigan man to continue to add strikes to his game.
He said, “We’d been ribbing him a little about not finding the net so it was a timely brace and he’s delighted. We’ve been speaking about it. If he starts adding these goals to his games, he’s going to be a big asset and I’m delighted.”
Tisdale also admitted the team took a while to recalibrate after an injury to Jordan Moore-Taylor, after the former Exeter defender left the field during the first half.
He said, “For all the play we had, it was a loose ball leading to a beautiful finish from 22-plus yards. It was an odd game, where Jordan Moore-Taylor limped off and we had to change and adapt the players around him. It took us a while to settle again and that injury was a big stumble for us, but we got it going again.”
The team face a break and Tisdale stated that while the team had the chance for a break, it would give opportunities for fringe players.
He said, “I don’t think its great but I don’t know how bad it is, but fingers crossed. But we’ve got a deep squad and we have to use it and trust the players. Its these times of the season that you’re getting tested, and we’re getting tested now. We came through it today and we’ve got 10 days until the next challenge. We’ll have to meet it with fit players at our disposal.”
As well as Moore-Taylor, the Dons also lost Chuks Aneke to injury, and Tisdale rued the timing of the injury, given they’d just taken off Kieran Agard, but he was hopeful he’d be able to recover quickly.
He said, “We’d just taken off Kieran as well. Often, you can plan your substitutions and plan how to alter things. Today, we couldn’t as it was dealing with the circumstances. I’m hoping he’s been wise enough to come off just before he could make it worse and its just a twinge, but its 10 days so we’ll see.”