Ahead of the fixture at Milton Keynes Dons, Mark Kennedy shared details of the process that goes into attracting new players to the club and was explicit that signings are imminent.
You can discuss what Mark Kennedy has said ahead of this match HERE, as well as get involved with our pre-match threads: You can post your score predictions, discuss the starting XI, and predict the attendance!
We have also published a quiz about the last time the two sides met at Stadium MK, which can be found HERE, and there is also another 15-question quiz at the bottom of this article! Have a go at both!
Player Recruitment Process: Every potential signing receives a 45-minute to 1-hour presentation about the club, the city, and the personal well-being of the player. A large part focuses on style and formation. Players are heavily profiled beforehand so there should already be alignment between ‘our’ and their game. Added on to that, MK disclosed he has a couple of individual things to him that he leans on a lot and thinks works well, albeit he won’t be disclosing what those are as he doesn’t want to alert other clubs.
“I have to give the club huge credit because before I came to Lincoln it was one thing I was really aware of. How good they are when they present, how impressive it is, how eye-catching it is”
MK outlined the extent of the emphasis placed on the presentation (warts and all) by summarising that potential recruits are openly told, if there is anything at all they didn’t like about the presentation then don’t sign as ‘we’ are everything ‘we’ say. Conversely if ‘you’ do like it and everything aligns (form, fitness) it will be a really good fit.
In practical terms, most players want to know if they will be playing and can be put off if they feel they will not be ahead of the incumbents. MK detailed a striker target from pre-season who did not sign as he felt Tom Hopper as captain would be filling the sole striker role at the club and went elsewhere as a consequence; ironically not getting any game time having done so.
Unless a side are bottom of the league, MK does not see position as a barrier to a player signing – it is more about playing style, being a good fit, opportunity, and coaching benefits; in short what the club can offer the player. MK is candid with players, informing them that they should do what is best for them personally and their families, so location can be a factor within that.
Things are different now than they were 15/20 years ago. By that, MK expanded to explain there are so many people and influences involved in the decision now; agents and even family/parents for example.
“I’m not saying that’s good or bad, but sometimes the quality of the decision gets diluted”.
Player Movements in January: Players have been allowed to move (Jamie Robson and Jordon Garrick) which did leave the club a little ‘light’ short term but an overview has to be taken i.e. it has to be to the benefit of the club. Jamie’s move was a long-term matter so with holding the transfer for a week didn’t help anybody or make any sense. In the case of Jordon, he was on a good salary and not likely to be playing. It would have been pointless keeping him back.
The deadline surrounding decisions on keeping the remaining loan players is imminent with the club and particularly Jez George maintaining constant and quality lines of communication with their parent clubs.
Regarding incoming players, MK was very clear that he expects one player to be available to play at the weekend and furthermore is very confident and hopeful of another player to be added thereafter.
MK Dons: MK recognises the change of manager at the upcoming opponents will make it difficult to fully assess them, notably on their shape but the crux of preparation is never on opponents.
“I always try and focus on ourselves….more than we do on other clubs”.
MK is very impressed with the Milton Keynes set-up, seeing them as a club having a clear identity and philosophy whilst benefitting from an excellent stadium and good players. MK really couldn’t comment on whether the Dons are underperforming compared to the success of last season as he doesn’t have sufficient knowledge from the different people involved. More importantly, he is far too busy himself, than to look at the machinations of outside clubs. Regardless, MK Dons remain an outstanding club.
There will be late calls on the availability of Sean Roughan and Ben House who both have minor issues. Sean actually failed a fitness test ahead of the Accrington game and both players are close to fitness but ultimately they will only play if it is not detrimental to them individually.
Upcoming Opponents: MK was asked about the run of fixtures against sides that hold similar league positions to the Imps.
“You’ve always got an eye on what’s around the corner. We’ve had periods of games where you’ve looked at the board, you know ‘hands over your eyes’. I think we’ve got a run of games up where we can really attack in terms of the opponents we’re playing, but we’ve lost to clubs below us this year; we’ve done exceptionally well against teams in the top ten. The league doesn’t allow you to get ahead of yourself. The league doesn’t allow you to get carried away. It always keeps you on your toes”.
MK pointed out that in reality this season, the Imps had shown they could come unstuck against anybody if they weren’t ‘at it’ but conversely are very tough opponents for anybody when they are.
Writer: hulloutpost
MK: "I'm not saying that's good or bad, but sometimes the quality of the decision gets diluted."https://t.co/XPqNil4gu4#MKDons #ImpsAsOne #WeAreImps
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) January 13, 2023
