MK Dons boss Paul Warne said he felt there was a lot to like about his team’s opening day performance but felt it was lacking the extra something to get victory.
The Dons’ Head Coach spoke after a 0-0 draw on the opening day of the 2025/26 season with Oldham Athletic, in a game that saw few chances created by both sides.
Reflecting afterwards, Warne said that against a team he represented in his playing days, he felt his MK Dons side had a lot of the fundamentals right but didn’t do enough going forward.
He said, “I’m pleased with the clean sheet against a good team who’ve been promoted. I played for them and have a lot of good memories of Oldham.
“I thought we were good without being great. That’s my assumption and I think the lads agree. Just in the final third, I didn’t think we’d done enough to make the keeper earn his money and that’s the truth.
“Transporting the ball end-to-end, I thought we were ok, we were pretty competitive, we defended all the long throws, which aren’t easy against a side like that, and at times when they broke and we were throwing the kitchen sink, our recovery runs were good. So I like that. There was parts of our play I liked, we just missed the goal. I think if we got one, we’d have had a lot more control.
“The longer the game goes on and you don’t get the goal, it gets more edgy and in the last 10-15 minutes, it was a bit stop & start. It’s not what we wanted, but if you can’t win it, don’t lose it. In that respect, I’m pleased but I’d like better.”
“We went with a front 3 with a 10 and tried to ask different questions. I thought there were really good performances but we lacked a physical presence at the top end. Bringing Paterson on helped but unfortunately he can’t get on the end of his long throw as that would be handy.
“It was disappointing in that respect. I might be wrong but I thought we had a penalty in the first half – you’d take that and the game would take a different path. Goals always change games – everyone knows that. But unfortunately today, we weren’t good enough to test the keeper enough.”
Speaking in further detail, he felt one element lacking in the Dons’ display was a lack of courage in attack.
He said, “I learned a little bit. I don’t really question their character or endeavour – I thought they had that. But maybe a little bit more courage.
“I mean that they saw the pass but thought it was a bit risky so played the safer pass. My teams don’t really play that safe. So I learned that about a few individuals but it’s our jobs as coaches and teachers to show them it and say it’s on, risk it, we want you to risk it and if it doesn’t come off, fine, it’s on me.
“So I learned a little about that. I also learned we’re pretty good, I quite like us and would pay money to watch us. I’d pay a little bit more if they shot a bit more! So I’ve learned there isn’t a lot wrong but to turn 0-0s into 1-0s, 2-0s, turns into shots.
“I just think the group are together, they’re disappointed they haven’t won, which is half the battle.”
With the opening game of the season now done, Warne said the work was now in place to get the team built up over the opening weeks and that he was consistent with saying that the team would need to be adaptable ahead of the challenge coming up.
He said, “If you win the first 5 games, you haven’t got it sussed and if you lose the first 5 games, you’re not horrific but you do get to see where the problems are. Today, Oldham caused us problems and stopped our attacks. It’s just constant learning. We’re always consistent with the lads with messaging. Even if we’d won 6-0, I’d be exactly out the same.
“You do learn about your time throughout the season. I said to the lads that the team today won’t be the same as it will be next week or 6-8 months into the season. You’re constantly changing, tweaking, people are in form and you learn about your time or whether you’re missing something there and whether you change the players you’ve got or bring other players in to help us with what we’re lacking.
“After a few games, you have a much better idea.”