Tisdale satisfied with intent despite being held to a goalless draw

Posted Sunday, August 19, 2018 by PA

Paul Tisdale outlined the attacking philosophy he expects from his MK Dons players despite seeing his side forced to hold on for a goalless draw at Crewe.

Mathieu Baudry’s late red card made for a nervous finish to the game for the Dons, who had the best chance of the game in the first-half when Kieron Agard headed against the post from close-range.

It was a rare opening for the fancied Dons, who remain unbeaten, in what was an entertaining clash at Gresty Road, in which both sides had good chances before a reckless lunge from Baudry saw the visitors finish the game with 10 men.

Tisdale was happy with the draw, but the man who made the switch from Exeter to Stadium:Mk in the summer hopes his side can prove to be more effective in the final third.

“I’m trying to play football as I see it, but there is no intention to change things immediately,” said Tisdale. “I want the players to show their personality.

“They will need to attack and be positive and I thought they showed some real intent today.

“It was an open game and there could have been goals, but maybe we are a bit disappointed we didn’t get the ball into the net and we have got something to improve on.

“Kieron’s header from close range he will be disappointed with, and Dylan Asonganyi had a good swipe but didn’t manage to hit the target.”

Crewe started impressively and Callum Ainley was prominent as the Dons were pinned back, with the winger forcing a good stop from Lee Nicholls, while a deflected effort form James Jones fizzed past the post.

Agard signalled his intent when his rising drive just cleared the bar from 25 yards, but he had his head in his hands after his poor miss just before the interval.

Ryan Taylor latched onto Cisse’s knockdown to force a save out of Crewe keeper Dave Richards and substitute Asonganyi sliced with the goal at his mercy.

But it was Crewe replacement Chris Porter who was presented with an even better opening late on, only to hesitate pulling the trigger allowing Nicholls to snuff out the danger.

On Baudry’s dismissal, Tisdale said: “The referee has got to make his decision and I am not going to speak to him. It happens and Matthieu was trying to win the ball.”

Crewe boss Dave Artell added: “It was a great game between two good teams and I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. But the longer the game went on the least likely we looked like scoring.

“Overall I was pleased as the players worked their socks off and it gives us something to build on.

“When you play promotion favourites and you keep a clean sheet that can only bode well for the future.”