Sunday 28 March 2010

When asked about the tactical substitution with Chris Dickson (pictured right) replacing Curtis Weston in an attempt to secure all three points, Stimson explained:

“We tried to win the game from the start, but unfortunately with Dennis (Oli) getting sent off we had to regroup and in the second –half.

I thought we needed to try and get another forward with Rene (Howe), because their centre-halves were having too much possession and dictating the game.”

“To lose a player who’s really on form at the moment in Dennis Oli, to a bit of an indifferent decision from what I’ve seen, was hard. 

But all credit to the boys they came out in the second-half and really had a good go and got the second goal.”

He continued, “After that they even tried to go forward, got caught a couple of times on the break, but you’re going to do that against MK Dons because they’ve got some good players..”

He added, “We moved Andy Barcham up there for a short period of time and then when Curtis (Weston) came off Andy dropped back, then ‘Dicko’ came on up top to play two up with Barcham just off them.2

So it was quite attacking because we needed something from the game. To get zero today would have been a massive disappointment. So we didn’t get the three but we got one.”

Commenting on the sending off, Stimson said, “I think it was harsh. Dennis covered the ground like he does and the assistant referee I asked at half-time said the boy (Oli) was going at pace and he caught him.

My answer was, well he isn’t going to jog over to him is he and unfortunately he couldn’t stop because he slid as the pitch today was wet.”

He continued, “I think it was a harsh sending off and Dennis is distraught because he has got himself into a bit of form.”

Asked what he said at the half-time team talk, Stimson responded with, “I wanted to say to them, don’t do the lottery tonight because you aren’t going to win it after that amazing second goal by MK Dons. We just said though, look be patient, keep focussed as many times ten can come back against eleven.”

He added, “It’s really important we keep our shape and try and hit ReneHowe more to his body than into space.”

Meanwhile speaking to the media after the game, assistant Dons manager Karl Robinson (pictured right) said, “Paul was banished to the stands by referee Phil Crossley, having protested vehemently for a foul on Dean Lewington in the build-up to the Gills' second equaliser.”

He continued, "It's frustrating because you get yourself in a position where you're leading and through poor decisions, by either the players or officials, we seem to lose the lead very quickly. It's been a big part of our season”

"Like the inconsistency in general, from game to game we've seen flashes of brilliant football, which is what we're all about. But we've also seen the other side of the game, which has not been good enough. We've got to rectify that and make sure we're more consistent.”

He continued, "It's bitterly disappointing, especially the way we conceded the goals. When decisions don't go your way you have to react correctly and we didn't. We felt the second goal was a blatant free-kick that the assistant just didn't see. I spoke to the referee after the game and we'll keep that in-house, but it's disappointing that the players have put their all into the game and poor decisions are hard to take.”

"The Gaffer just asked the assistant referee, ’Could you not see that?' I felt sorry for the referee because you can't get everything right so you look for assistance from the assistants. The manager asked why and they didn't want to listen. We'll address it through the proper channels.”