John Sheridan's thoughts following Latics' 2-0 defeat to MK Dons.
"We've got to try and grind things out."
Sheridan calls for better decision making in key moments.

Speaking to Latics TV after his side's 2-0 defeat to MK Dons on Tuesday evening, Latics boss John Sheridan said:

"I can only repeat what I've been saying for the last couple of weeks - we didn't start the game well. We defended well in the first half, they had one or two opportunities, but I didn't feel like we were under much pressure.

"I'm disappointed with how we went about our game, I would have liked us to have taken the game to MK Dons.

"We defended, but we didn't take care of the ball when we had possession. We make ourselves too vulnerable by making the wrong decisions.

"We went in at half time knowing we can play better, but happy to be level and then all of a sudden we're two goals down in the space of five minutes.

"The reason we conceded those goals is the exact opposite of what I said to them at half time, we made exactly the wrong decisions.

"We were 20 yards from their goal, we had the chance to put the ball in their box and we play a pass into a dangerous area in the middle of the pitch, we lose possession and then 10 seconds later they've got a penalty.

"They're a good footballing side, but we create too many of our own problems. We knew they'd keep possession of the ball and we changed our system because of the injuries we had coming into the game.

"We've got to stick together. It's hard to take at the moment because we're conceding too many goals and we're not scoring goals. We've got to try and grind things out.

"In the last 20 minutes we were putting balls into the box for fun, but too often we get into wide areas and don't make the other team defend.

"That's the decision making, instead of crossing, we'll cut back, lose the ball and end up conceding a corner or they'll end up having a shot on goal."

Latics were forced into four changes ahead of the game, with Lee Evans, Kal Naismith, Darnell Johnson and Viv Solomon-Otabor all missing out due to injuries picked up against Plymouth Argyle, and things got worse with more injuries picked up during the 90 minutes at Stadium MK.

"We shuffled the team around to match them up and we did that until half time, but it was a massive downer how the penalty came about to give them their first goal.

"The injuries aren't something we need at this moment in time when we're after results and trying to win games, especially when most of our injuries are to experienced players.

"It's given other players opportunities and I've put a team out that I thought could get something from the game.

"We've had another couple of injuries again tonight, so it's difficult for us.

"Viv's injury is quite a serious one. With one or two of the others they're being monitored so we'll just have to see how they are.

"We're short on bodies, but I can't sit here crying, we've got to get back to performing and winning football matches."

John Sheridan | "It's a difficult time for us, but we've got to stick together."