Dons defender not intent on downplaying importance of MK match at Plough Lane

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Lee Brown wants AFC Wimbledon to right the wrongs of January’s 3-1 defeat at Milton Keynes when the two clubs clash again at Plough Lane tomorrow.

Three goals in 12 disastrous first-half minutes saw the Buckinghamshire-based side claim all three points with the defeat compounded by the second-half dismissals of Paul Kalambayi and Huseyin Biler.

Johnnie Jackson’s Dons are four points adrift of the play-offs and need to get back to winning ways after four games without a victory in League Two.

Wimbledon have only won once at home against Milton Keynes, who are fifth in the table, in their last five attempts.
Brown told the South London Press: “They took the absolute – you know the word – out of us up there and we have to feel that.

“We have to build that game up like it does mean something. We need to build it up within the squad.

“We don’t need to play it down – it’s a big game.

“We have to show it means something because we can’t allow what happened up there to happen again – it was embarrassing.

“The players know how much it means to the fans and I don’t think we as a squad did that justice.

“They’re coming to our house now and we have to show them how much it means to us.

“We can’t guarantee a result but what we can guarantee is that we’ll run through a brick wall and work our socks off to do everything we can to get a positive result.

“These sorts of games is what I live for – I thrive in these games. The older you get, you really do enjoy them.”

The ex-Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers defender joined the Dons in the 2021-22 season and has featured 68 times across all competitions.

Brown started the season in his traditional left-back role, with Jack Currie sidelined due to a quad injury. When the former Bristol City transfer target returned to the team, the 33-year-old dropped out of the starting line-up and took a place on the bench.

With the injury crisis at the back for Jackson’s side, with Joe Lewis and Ryan Johnson both suffering long-term injuries, Brown has had to deputise at centre-back alongside Crystal Palace loanee Kofi Balmer and the experienced Alex Pearce.

“It was quite new to me when he (Jackson) said he was going to chuck me in there,” said Brown.

“But if you can organise the people around you, it makes your life a lot easier.

“I’m enjoying it. I started the first eight or nine games and we started really well – we were nearly unbeaten in that period of time.

“I came out of the team for a large spell where Jack has been playing really, really well and now I have been called upon for the last few games with all the injuries.

“It’s been a frustrating season, personally, but I have taken on that role behind the scenes, supporting the lads.

“It’s about staying professional. You don’t get to the age of 33 without being a good professional.

“To still be in the game, you have to appreciate you haven’t got the legs you used to have, like when you were 22 or 23, like some of these boys do. But you bring other things which are needed as well, and probably get undervalued really.

“It’s hard behind the scenes – people don’t see what goes on. There is a lot that goes into the management and the togetherness of a changing room. That’s where we can do our little bit if we’re not playing on a Saturday.”

PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD