Russell Martin focusing on positives despite MK Dons’ defeat against Rotherham

Posted Sunday, November 24, 2019 by PA

MK Dons boss Russell Martin was left frustrated after seeing his side throw away a winning position against Rotherham and leave empty-handed following a 3-2 defeat.

Substitute Freddie Ladapo scored twice in the second half as Rotherham came from behind to win.

The hosts led 2-0 at the break through Alex Gilbey and Joe Mason, but goals from Dan Barlaser and Ladapo condemned MK Dons to a fifth straight league defeat, made worse when Baily Cargill saw red at the death.

Martin said: “We’re still a bit fragile from the run we have been on, but we were outstanding in the first half – everyone could feel it, and everyone could see it.

“They made the changes they had to, but it didn’t change the way we played. We played OK in defence, but things broke down at the top end of the pitch which put us under pressure – we lost the ball too easily and invited them onto us.

“The first half was brilliant to watch, and we will get better at that – I want us to be brave on the ball and we were, and the players enjoyed playing that way.

“We need to build on this, improve it and we will get better as time goes on.

“It was like a basketball match in the second half and that suited their style of play – but we were anxious fundamentally because of the run that we have been on.

“We need to pick up that win to get us confident again – there were lots of positives.

“We’ve not made them work for their goals – they were poor goals.

“We should have scored four or five goals in the first half and they have to believe in themselves to take those chances.”

MK Dons took an early lead when Cargill slotted Gilbey through on goal and Martin’s side doubled their lead when Mason’s unstoppable strike found the net.

Cargill dithered in the box and allowed Barlaser to tap home in the 66th minute and the Millers levelled moments later when Kyle Vassell’s free-kick was tapped home by substitute Ladapo.

Rotherham were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute but Ladapo saw his spot-kick smack the crossbar.

Ladapo made amends four minutes from time when he nodded home the winner, before Cargill saw red.

Rotherham boss Paul Warne said: “It was obviously a lot better in the second half. We started the game very poorly and we didn’t really recognise ourselves to be honest.

“We showed them a bit too much respect – MK have some really good footballers and I think they will do really well.

“I’d like to thank the fans for staying with us because they got behind us massively – I thought we were going to get booed off at half-time but we managed to finish off with a bit of momentum.

“I can accept losing games if we play the way we want to play, but in the first half it was nothing like us – we made some changes and I thought the players that came on had a really positive impact.”