Paul Tisdale needed help from MK Dons players during ‘odd’ reunion with Exeter - 7M sport

Paul Tisdale needed help from MK Dons players during ‘odd’ reunion with Exeter



Posted Sunday, August 26, 2018 by PA

Paul Tisdale needed help from MK Dons players during ‘odd’ reunion with Exeter

MK Dons boss Paul Tisdale admitted he struggled with facing Exeter for the first time since he left the club.

Tisdale became synonymous with the Grecians during a 12-year spell as boss but left for Milton Keynes during the summer after failing to agree a new contract in Devon.

The 45-year-old led his new side to a 1-0 win after Kieran Agard atoned for having a 55th-minute penalty saved by Christy Pym by scoring from another spot-kick 10 minutes later.

It was the first time Exeter had lost in League Two this season and saw them slip from first to third, with the Dons moving up to second after extending their unbeaten start to five games.

“It was really odd and I asked the players for some help,” said Tisdale about facing his former club.

“They did that but now this is over it’s important we move on to the next game because that’s what it’s all about.”

Tisdale claims something special is brewing at the club.

He added: “I can feel something is building and it’s coming slowly – we’re looking to build this year and this will go a long way in helping us achieve that. The purpose and identity is beginning to show itself.

“I don’t want to look through rose-tinted glasses but I thought we were very solid and considered, sensible and tough when we had to be. I thought our performance built as we progressed throughout the game.

“It was another step forward for us and I think we looked pragmatic in the way we managed the game.”

Dean Moxey saw red for the handball which gave the Dons their first penalty before Jayden Stockley was at fault for the second spot-kick.

But Tisdale was keen to focus on Agard’s confidence to stick his hand up having already missed from 12 yards.

“I think Kieran Agard showed real nerve to step up for the second time so well done to him,” Tisdale said.

“The first penalty was actually a great save because it was right in the corner so well done him for showing nerve.”

Exeter could have grabbed an equaliser at the death but Luke Croll’s header went just wide to see Matt Taylor suffer a first loss since taking the reins from Tisdale.

And Taylor wants his promotion contenders to cope better with the pressure of facing a strong opponent.

“It was a cagey affair, especially to begin with, and we planned for that,” said Taylor. “I thought the game lacked quality for the first hour and I’m not sure why that was – maybe it was built up too much.

“The players have to be able to deal with this pressure if we want to be at the top end of the league and you have to be able to come to tough places like MK Dons and deal with it.

“In any game you get beaten you have to be disappointed and the manner of the penalties and sending off is bitterly disappointing.

“I actually thought for the last half an hour with 10 men we were excellent, we moved the ball well and managed to create a little bit of pressure in their final third – it’s just a shame we weren’t able to start the game like that.

“This has been a blip in what has generally been a good start to the season and even though we’ve lost the game I saw some real positives in the way the players stood up to the challenge when we went down to ten men.”

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