Jackson: We Went Toe-to-Toe With a Really Good Team
Saturday, 25th Feb 2023 21:59

MK Dons boss Mark Jackson was frustrated by his side’s failure to find the net during the remarkable first-half incident in which two shots were blocked and Christian Walton made two saves but felt his team gave a decent account of themselves.

Mo Eisa’s initial 10th-minute effort was blocked by Cameron Burgess, then Jonathan Leko was somehow thwarted by Luke Woolfenden from point blank, then Walton twice stopped shots from Sullay Kaikai.

Blues skipper Sam Morsy netted what would prove to be the game’s only goal in the 26th minute.

“It was a great opportunity to get us on the scoresheet but unfortunately we didn't take it,” Jackson, whose team stay 22nd, told the MK Citizen.

“We conceded what we felt was an avoidable goal. We allowed Ipswich to do what we try and do to teams - anticipate in front and hit on the counter, and Morsy did that from a stray pass.

“The positive thing for me was that we stayed in the game, which was really important after two heavy defeats in the last two games.

“The mental state of the players was very fragile after last week, but we told them they had to be mentally tough in those difficult moments.

“And we did that today and we showed we could be a threat to teams at the top of the league as well. I thought on a different day, we could have had a goal.

“We were up against a really good team with a Championship squad and I felt we went toe-to-toe with them.

“Out of possession, we were good and we caused them some problems in the first half. There is lots to build on and certainly not the feeling we had against Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday.

“We had to weather a storm at the start of the second half which we did well.

“We knew if we'd opened up too early against a team like that, the game could be done. After the last two results [5-0 at Bolton and 5-2 at Sheffield Wednesday], we didn't want to be in that predicament.”

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OwainG1992 added 07:26 - Feb 26 A championship squad he says....God I hope we that's what we are next year.
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Stato added 08:06 - Feb 26 I don't think we should be comparing our narrow win to the recent thrashings Sheff We'd and Bolton dished out. Jackson is right to say his men did put up a proper decent fight and sometimes you just gotta celebrate 3 very important points that easily could of been just 1.
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blues1 added 08:27 - Feb 26

Like to know what game he was watching. Other than the incident in the 1st half, they were no threat whatsoever. Yes, played some decent football at times but never looked like scoring. We were totally in control of the game for almost all the game. Especially once Luongo came on at half time. Theyre definitely not the worst team we've played but have little threat up front, which made the game comfortable for us. Would have been nice to get a 2nd goal,and we came close to doing so a few times, but all in all, a professional away performance.

Saxonblue74 added 10:47 - Feb 26 1-0 or 10-0, not really interested in analysis of games right now. 3 points is the only thing that matters.
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Nomore4 added 11:11 - Feb 26

Is this story from 12 months ago… MK are terrible and relegation bound.
Performances from them throughout the season have been dreadful.
We made them look better than they are, as we have done to many a team this season.
The next vital 2 away games will produce much fewer chances. Not the 30 we are used to most games. 6 points from next 2 at home, nothing less will do.
2 points from next 2 away nothing less will do.

TimmyH added 12:47 - Feb 26 A slight over exaggeration from Kayden here...'toe to toe' with a side a lot poorer than last season and in the relegation zone.
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