Source: PA
Dons aim to be pass masters
MK Dons goalkeeper Stuart Searle says the club's management have been trying to impose a passing mentality on the Dons squad ahead of the new season.
They rounded off their pre-season preparations for the season-opener with Walsall by beating Rushden & Diamonds 5-0 at the weekend and manager Karl Robinson is eager for his team to be exponents of the beautiful game.
And Searle says boss Robinson and assistant manager John Gorman have been encouraging the Dons' keepers to lead by example and field the ball short in matches in an attempt to maintain possession and build patiently.
The 31-year-old told the club's official website: "I think it's something the gaffer and John are trying to instil in us - they want us to play and they want us to go out and not just go route one.
"To be fair, we've only got Albie (Aaron Wilbraham) as a target man and if he's not there then you need to have a second outlet. It's part of the game now for goalkeepers to be able to play with their feet and it's not the long ball anymore.
"John's had us in groups in training, he's been working us hard and I don't particularly like it but it's one of those things you've got to learn and you've got to be able to cope with it. When you're put in situations, you're more comfortable come game time."
