Bradford City's Kevin McDonald admits fans deserve better, after heavy defeat at Milton Keynes Dons

CARETAKER-MANAGER Kevin McDonald was keen to accentuate the “positives” – despite seeing his unbeaten run in the Bradford City hotseat come crashing to an end.
By Phil Harrison
Published 25th Oct 2023, 15:56 BST

The Bantams were well-beaten 4-1 at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday , ending a run of three wins and a draw for McDonald.

The search for a permanent successor to the sacked Mark Hughes continues, while McDonald quickly switched his attention to this weekend’s game at Sutton United.

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“We’ve set a standard and we fell below that standard,” said McDonald, who named himself in midfield in place of suspended captain Richie Smallwood.

ON TARGET: Alex Gilliead got on the scoresheet for Bradford City in the 4-1 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday. Picture: George Wood/Getty ImagesON TARGET: Alex Gilliead got on the scoresheet for Bradford City in the 4-1 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images
ON TARGET: Alex Gilliead got on the scoresheet for Bradford City in the 4-1 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

“We expect better, the fans expect better and the fans deserve better.

“We need to pick ourselves up and be ready to go against Sutton on Saturday. I tell you one thing, we’ll be ready to go because we don’t want a performance like that and we won’t accept it as a player or as a coach.

“We know it was not good enough and we will look to rectify that. We we are happy that the games are coming thick and fast.

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“On a night like that, it’s one of those where we’ve got to have a good look over it and see where things went wrong and look at the things we can improve.

RESPONSE: Bradford City caretaker-manager, Kevin McDonald. Picture courtesy of Bradford City AFC.RESPONSE: Bradford City caretaker-manager, Kevin McDonald. Picture courtesy of Bradford City AFC.
RESPONSE: Bradford City caretaker-manager, Kevin McDonald. Picture courtesy of Bradford City AFC.

“We’ve been compact as a team in and out of possession and when you are, you can win the ball back and play forward quickly, but Tuesday didn’t seem to be that way, but there were positives to take from the game.”

Joe Tomlinson gave The Dons an early advantage, but it was cancelled out by Bradford’s Alex Gilliead in the opening 20 minutes.

The hosts’ reclaimed their lead through a Jack Payne free-kick before running away winners with two second-half goals from Max Dean and Alex Gilbey, marking Dons’ first victory in 10 league games.

Related topics:Kevin McDonaldSuttonSutton United