MK: “We go there with the full intention of getting three points.”

Ahead of the weekend fixture versus Bristol Rovers, Mark Kennedy touched upon matters of playing style and attitude.

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!

Playing Style and Work Rate: Mark Kennedy put some perspective on the component parts required to achieve footballing success. He acknowledged that the players are worked extremely hard in training, are set and meet those targets every day. That was evidenced by the fact that the outfield players hit 11k covered in the match versus Derby. MK is satisfied that the players all work very hard but that is not the full picture. He pointed out that the Imps beat Derby with only 33% possession but lost by the same score line to Cambridge having had 63% possession only one week previously.

“The most important thing is how you win the game and the focus is always around the game plan; what our style looks like, being true to our identity, and every game is different”.

MK went on to discuss how trends in football change over the years, be that formations or for example how academies are vastly different today – football is constantly changing or evolving. Currently, we are seeing how it is fashionable to play out from the back with the risks that brings to produce the style. However, what never changes or goes away is making the game ‘real’, being competitive, and the attitude that defines the approach and end result.

“That’s where I feel we won the game on Tuesday, more than anything was our mental approach to what we wanted to do and what it was going to look like, and we probably lacked that a little bit the week before”.

Crowd Effect: MK had been watching a recent game on TV. The team in question were well in the game throughout yet the crowd turned on their side and in particular, one player received booing every time he was in possession. That does not help anybody. By contrast he is well aware of the excellent support the Imps have received for several years which was being continued both home and away this season.

“It makes such a difference when your crowd are behind you and we’re very fortunate at our club they can see what we’re trying to do, they can see the effort we’re trying to give, and they absolutely show us their gratitude from that”.

Carl Rushworth: MK responded to comment about the qualities that the young goalkeeper brings to the side noting his excellent short passing game, shot stopping, agility, coming for crosses. MK pointed out the player is physically bigger than some people think which helps him dominate his area. Whist Carl is a very quiet lad he still commands respect from everybody.

“I think he’s got an outstanding future ahead of him. Every game we’ve played……every manager comes in and comments about him after the game”.

Bristol Rovers: Of the injured players, Teddy Bishop and Joe Walsh will miss the next couple of games whereas Danny Mandriou has returned to training on grass and will resume full training on 26th September.

MK recognised that Bristol is a notable footballing city with two fine teams and in Joey Barton, Rovers have an excellent manager.

“Every game is a tough game. I don’t say that as a cliche because going to Cambridge I felt as confident as winning as I did against Derby. People’s expectations may be different, and you know people will think we lost at Cambridge but won at Derby; but it’s just an incredibly tough game, tough place to go but we go there with the full intention of getting three points”.