IT WILL be an interesting game for us today at MK Dons.

They play attractive football and I think it will be a fine encounter.

We’ve already delivered some good away performances so far this season and we are hoping for more of the same as we try to keep grinding out the results.

I know that we are taking a lot of fans once again, so hopefully everyone comes back happy.

We travelled a similar distance in midweek to play Stevenage in the Checkatrade Trophy.

It turned out to be a great night for us as we won 6-2 and scored some fantastic goals.

It was not as straightforward as the scoreline might suggest. We went behind, Stevenage had their tails up, and it was a good test for our resolve and character.

We drew level and then carved open a number of chances. We got ourselves in front before the break, but really only produced our best in the second half.

We had a chat at half-time and tried to encourage the players to play one and two-touch football and they executed the plan perfectly and it paid dividends.

Rob Hall’s second goal was the most spectacular, but from a team point of view the movement for some of the others was first class.

The win was a boost to our confidence and it will serve us well in terms of the process we’re overseeing and in our preparations for the league fixtures.

There’s no doubt that scoring goals helps any player.

The following 48 hours were busy for all of us at the club.

The recruitment team worked hard to bring in Alex Mowatt and John Mousinho, with Marvin Johnson leaving us for Middlesbrough.

I know the public seem to love Deadline Day, but it is hard work behind the scenes.

Not just for the managers but also for the chairman, the board, recruitment departments, the club secretary, the guys in the media, right down to the final people who witness the forms and complete the deal late at night.

We talk a lot about football being a team effort, but it really is the case throughout the club on days like that.

I think we’ve done a good job and we’re now able to focus purely on our work and improving what’s now a fixed squad.

AS WELL as the recruitment team, we also have a very solid pathway for young footballers to develop and earn their place in the first team from within the club.

I was very pleased for Shandon Baptiste, who came on at Stevenage for his first senior appearance.

Shandon is a talented midfielder and is the latest to be given his chance after stepping up from the youth team.

I’m a great believer in developing young players and enjoyed the time I spent in the academy set-ups at Espanyol, Málaga and Swansea.

I know fans were excited by Malachi Napa in pre-season, another to make that step up.

We keep a close eye on players through all age groups and I know there are some very exciting players who fans will not have heard of yet.

Trust me – you will do in the years to come.