MK Dons coach Darren Potter said he wanted the team to move on quickly after a disappointing EFL Trophy showing in which they lost all 3 games.
The Dons are out of the EFL Trophy after three defeats out of three, with the final touch coming as the Dons lost 4-0 at home to fellow League Two side Swindon Town, who booked their progression as group winners.
Speaking on behalf of Head Coach Paul Warne, Potter said that it’s been a difficult ride in the competition and that now it was over, the team needed to bounce back when their attention returns to League Two outings.
He said, “The final of the game of the competition, and it’s not been an easy ride for us in that competition. Three defeats. But obviously, it’s done with now, so we can focus on what’s to come next.”
Potter said that with the league now the primary focus, he said the team would be looking to build on their position.
He said, “The league’s where its at for us. We’re in a good position within the league with plenty of points to play for and plenty of games to go. All eyes are obviously on the league for sure.”
He also said, “I think we always want more and the lads would be the same as well. We did have a brief discussion about that today just kind of taking stock of where we are at after the amount of games we’ve played. We want more. We want to be successful and the manager’s been brought here for a reason and the players have been brought here for a reason. We’re quietly satisfied to a point with where we are as we’re not far from the top but there’s no doubt about it – we want more.”
With regard to the individual game, Potter said the team did improve as the game went on but said he pondered aloud if players who haven’t made recent league sides made enough of an impression to earn a first team spot in the league.
He said, “We made one or two tweaks at half-time and it was a better performance second half, but we weren’t a huge goal threat. I said in the pre-match that it was an opportunity for the pros to stake a claim for the manager and get into his thinking for the weekend, so I’m not too sure how many can say that they did to be honest.”
Potter also noted the team was facing a strong opponent, with Swindon naming a strong side as they chased a victory of 2 goals or more to progress, which they duly achieved.
He said, “It was a tough night like we just reflected on. These games can be like that. Swindon came here to do a job and knew what they needed in terms of the goals to get themselves through in the competition. They’ve been fairly strong in the competition throughout. We always knew it would be tough and so it proved on the night really.”
Luton Town will have an all-League One tie with Exeter City in the next stage of the EFL Trophy.
The Hatters will welcome the side from Devon to Kenilworth Road in the week beginning Monday December 1st.
Specific information about the fixture, including ticket details, kick-off time and date and any TV coverage will be announced in due course.
Luton booked their place in the First Knockout Round by winning their group, with the Hatters winning 2 of their 3 group stage games and finishing ahead of Cambridge United on goal difference. The Bedfordshire club won games against Barnet and the Brighton U21s, though they would suffer defeat at the hands of League 2 Cambridge in their other game.
Exeter, who currently sit 19th in the League One table, advanced as runners up from a group that also contained Cardiff City, Newport County and the Arsenal U21s. They finished behind Cardiff on goal difference.
Milton Keynes University Hospital Trust (MKUH) have revealed contingency plans that are in place during a strike by resident doctors.
Strikes are scheduled to take place from 7am on Friday 14 November until 6:59am on Wednesday 19 November.
In a statement, MKUH’s Chief Executive, Joe Harrison, said, “MKUH will do our utmost to minimise disruption for patients during the strike action. We have proven contingency measures in place to ensure continuity of safe and quality care, and a hard-working team of people whose priority is to keep hospital services working well.
“It is really important that patients who need urgent medical care continue to come forward as normal, particularly for serious and life-threatening illnesses. For minor illnesses and injuries, pharmacists and GPs are there to help.
“The industrial action is happening in the busy winter period which may mean waiting times in our Emergency Department are longer. I am appealing to local people to use this service wisely and to show some support for our staff who will be doing their very best to treat large numbers of patients in priority order.”
MKUH have said that there may be some impact to planned appointments resulting in postponements, and affected patients will be contacted by the hospital. If patients have not heard anything, they should attend appointments as normal.
Anyone with health concerns during the period of industrial action can contact NHS 111 for assessment and direction to the most appropriate local service. Call 111, go online at https://111.nhs.uk/ or use the NHS App.
Use 999 or go to the Emergency Department at MKUH when someone is experiencing a life-threatening health emergency and needs immediate medical attention.
Northampton Town sealed progress in the EFL Trophy group stages after a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury Town.
Kamarai Swyer had put Kevin Nolan’s Cobblers ahead, only for the League Two side to equalise through Tommy McDermott. But a winner from Conor McCarthy 12 minutes from time won the day for the home side.
Victory means that Northampton will finish the group stage of the EFL Trophy as winners of the Southern Section Group C, having previously registered wins against Walsall and the Chelsea under-21s in their group.
The Cobblers will therefore advance to the competition’s knockout stages, with ties due to be played in early December. Northampton will be ball 3 in the southern section of the draw, which takes place tomorrow (13/11) at 2:30pm on Sky Sports News. Ties are scheduled to be held in the week beginning December 1st, though specific dates will vary.
Milton Keynes City Council have reported a significant reduction in fly tipping across the city.
Data released by the City Council says that incidents have fallen by 9.8% year-on-year thanks to enforcement, increased CCTV coverage, and support from the public.
MK City Council also revealed that they issued more than twice as many Fixed Penalty Notices for fly tipping over the summer (Q2 – July to September) than it did during Q2 in 2024.
In all, 29 Fixed Penalty Notices were issued between July and September, each carrying an immediate fine of £400, and the city council investigated and cleared up more than 570 waste crimes. It has a further 129 active fly tipping investigations underway.
The drop in fly tipping follows investment in CCTV in known hotspots, combined with a visible enforcement presence which is helping to identify and punish those responsible for waste crimes.
Offenders face serious consequences with fines ranging from £125 up to £50,000, or even imprisonment for up to five years. Cleaning people’s carelessly fly tipped waste costs tens of thousands of pounds every year.
Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for the Public Realm, said, “While a small minority continue to commit waste crimes, we’re taking firm action to keep our city clean. Fly tipping is a serious criminal offence, bringing down communities as well as costing thousands to clean up. With CCTV and dedicated officers on the ground, we’re identifying fly tippers and taking action, including gathering evidence to prosecute serious offences.”
