Aaron’s surprise at Dons’ exploits

AARON WILBRAHAM is surprised that Milton Keynes Dons are chasing consecutive promotions.

But the striker, who lines up against Coca-Cola League One rivals Athletic tomorrow, reckons the Dons can go up again.

Former Athletic loan-player Wilbraham, the Dons’ 13-goal top scorer, explained: “After we won promotion last May, our main priority this season was to establish ourselves in League One.

“We have managed to stay near the top of the table throughout the season despite people expecting us to drop away.

“It is now a case of trying to kick on again for the last 12 games.”

A run of four successive draws has seen MK Dons drop out of the top two, but they are still in an ideal position to claim an automatic promotion place. They are third in the table, five points adrift of Peterborough United in second and, crucially, they have three games in hand.

Wilbraham, who is in his fourth year at the club, is delighted with the way the Dons have built on their League Two championship-winning campaign.

The Dons have carried on their good work despite the loss of manager Paul Ince, who quit to take charge of Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers. Ince was replaced by Italian rookie and former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo.

Wilbraham, who had a spell at Boundary Park in the 2004/05 season, said: “Every manager is different and Roberto has brought his own ideas and tactics, and I have enjoyed working with him.

“He is not afraid to try different formations and he is one of the best coaches I have played under.

“He is also very relaxed and allows us to get on with playing football. The lads have reacted positively to his appointment and he is also a good man manager.”

Wilbraham has served under four managers at the Dons — Danny Wilson, Martin Allen, Ince and Di Matteo.

He also joined the club shortly after their move to Milton Keynes, where they initially had a temporary home at the National Hockey Stadium.

They moved to Stadiummk in the summer of 2007 and, when the top tier of the ground is completed, it will have a capacity of 31,000. It is 22,000 at present.

Wilbraham said: “It is a great time to be at the club, which is definitely moving in the right direction.

“It wasn’t easy playing at the hockey stadium as it was not a football ground and it was open and windy.

“But we now have a terrific new stadium which would not be out of place in a higher division.

“Our gates are growing and we hope to create more interest locally by being successful. There are a lot of young people in Milton Keynes and it is important we try to get them on board.”

Dons are unbeaten in their last seven league games, although the sequence of four successive draws has been costly.

“We had hardly drawn a game all season, but we have now drawn out last four,” he continued. “That is what happens in football sometimes.”

Wilbraham believes there is a good balance to the team, especially from the flanks, where he receives excellent service from former Manchester United winger Luke Chadwick, Jemal Johnson and Jason Puncheon.

Wilbraham’s father-in-law Graham Buckley is a massive Athletic fan, who named his garage in Bury ‘Royle Motors’ after the former Athletic manager. He also has a car with a personalised OAFC registration.

He said: “Graham used to be a season-ticket holder until I met and married his daughter Debra and now he comes to more of our matches than at Latics.

“I am sure there will be split loyalties. We had the same situation earlier in the season when we lost at Boundary Park, but deep down I am sure he wants me to win.”


Latest fixtures . . .

TOMORROW: Brighton v Yeovil, Carlisle v Scunthorpe, Cheltenham v Hartlepool, Colchester v Crewe, Hereford v Southend, Leeds v Swindon, Millwall v Leicester, MK Dons v Athletic, Peterborough v Northampton, Stockport v Leyton Orient, Tranmere v Huddersfield, Walsall v Bristol Rovers.