htafc.com talked to Town Captain Chris Lucketti earlier today and he explained that the players need to bounce back from their weekend defeat with an improved display against Sheffield United on Wednesday evening.
"We're all disappointed; we were on our own patch and MK Dons were the better team," Chris said of Saturday's 3-1 loss. "There's not much we can say to defend ourselves - they were the better team.
"Goals change games and up until the first goal there wasn't a lot in it. Their lad scored from a corner, which is disappointing from our point of view and then they got a free header and we got done on the breakaway. They worked it well - we were up in the box trying to get an equaliser and they broke and that was a killer blow before half time. We huffed and puffed second half but we got caught again."
The skipper was particularly disappointed with the nature of the Dons' second goal - a quick break from a Town corner.
"You try to organise and prepare yourself for counter attacks, especially when me and Butty (Andy Butler) are up in the box trying to work a set-piece. The ball breaks and all of a sudden you've got a 60 yard chase. I probably could have scored the goal. It's just bad from our team and like I said, you can't excuse that.
"We said the next goal was important at 2-0 as if we get back to 2-1 you're right back in the game and that effectively killed the game when they got the third goal. I know we got one back but that third goal really killed the game as a tie."
The former Preston man reserved a few words for the tremendous support of the Galpharm faithful.
"To be fair, the fans had every right to have a go at the lads on Saturday but I thought they were great. Credit to them because I'm sure they don't like getting beaten 3-1 at home anymore than we do so from that point of view I'd like to thank the fans for not getting on our backs."
The big centre-back is grateful that the team don't have long to contemplate their first competitive defeat under Stan Ternent.
"It's good that we have a game quickly as the lads will be smart for a couple of days up until Wednesday," Chris continued. "We would prefer it to be a league game, a chance to get some points on the board but that's not the case and we've got to come in on Wednesday and aim to do a lot better than we did and on Saturday.
"It's going to take time but we can't use anything as an excuse; I'm not going to use that as an excuse.
"United will bring a few supporters. Hopefully we can produce the sort of form against that we did against Bradford in the previous round, where the lads played well. We'll be looking to get back to that sort of way of play. Sheffield United is a massive club, one down from the Premier League and it'll be a good test."
The game carries extra meaning for Lucketti; he rejoined Town from the Blades during the summer months.
"I've got nothing but praise for the Club. They helped me realise my ambition of playing in the Premier League, which I'll always be grateful for."
You can now buy tickets for Wednesday night's game against Sheffield United online - click HERE!
