Oldham Athletic manager Dean Holden was again frustrated as his side conceded soft goals in a 3-1 loss to MK Dons.
Goals from Dean Bowditch, Daniel Powell, and Ben Reeves saw Dons race into a winning lead before Rhys Turner’s late strike offered scant consolation.
The Latics have now six of their last seven, including three straight games, and their leaky defence is of concern for Holden, who this week was appointed manager until the end of the season
“They are a good side and again, soft goals hurt the team. We changed the system slightly to try and protect the back lads a bit more because we’ve been looking vulnerable,” he said.
“We changed it at half time and got two up there and looked a lot more solid in the second half and we went after them a bit more but they had saw the game out by then.
“You’ve got to find it within yourself to keep going and it’s tough out there because things aren’t going for us at the moment. I keep saying the same things. You have got to keep going and take the punches on the chin. That was the most disappointing thing really.
“One or two lads have had their say after the game but we have to move forward quickly and pick ourselves up. This message is becoming quite the same.
“We’ve conceded too many goals in the last three games. Ten goals we have conceded at home, so that’s why we went a bit stronger in the back four tonight but it didn’t quite work out.”
While Holden was vexed by his defence, at the other end of the pitch, he was pleased to see Rhys Turner score his first goal since joining from Stockport County.
“He looked lively when he came on,” he said.
“He ran the line well and he’ll be pleased with his goal.
“I was pleased with all the subs. All three of them (Turner, Joel Coleman and Danny Philliskirk) came on and made a contribution so that’s the positive to take out of the game.
“We’ve had a bit of good news today with one or two of the injuries so that’s another couple of positives which we can take forward.”
Oldham travel to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday where they will hope to end a poor run which has seen them slide to 16th and within just six points of the relegation places.
“We are at that time now where I’m looking around thinking, who’s coming with me? It’s those types of characters we need on the pitch on Saturday,” said Holden.
“It’s a fantastic game for the ones that go out there so let’s hope they put the shift in.”
Main image courtesy of CFC Official via YouTube, with thanks.
