Paul Warne hails top scorer Aaron Collins and resolve of side as MK Dons thump Doncaster

Paul Warne praised both his top scorer Aaron Collins and the resolve of his side as MK Dons secured a thumping 6-1 win over Doncaster Rovers.

Collins scored four of the Dons’ six goals, with late additional strikes by Callum Paterson and Marvin Ekpiteta doing the job to grab Warne’s side a third consecutive win in League One.

Speaking after, Warne had special praise in particular for his side’s top scorer as he continued a flying start to the campaign that has seen him score 16 goals in 15 appearances in all competitions.

He said, “16 goals before November is not really the sort of thing that happens often in professional ranks. His game is excellent, he’s a constant threat, he’s quicker than he looks and can get away from people, his finishing is really clean and no one can ever really argue if he shoots as they do go in. The first goal was good, the third goal was the biggest goal if that makes sense as it put the ease in the stadium like we were back in control and I was going to take him off but then he got four and he said to me that if you kept me on, I’d have scored five. So I’m really pleased for him, but as always, its always a team game.

“First half, I thought Doncaster made some really aggressive runs and caused us some problems but we defended resolutely. It’s a pity we didn’t keep a clean sheet but no injuries and the lads are confident, which is a powerful force.”

Warne summarised the game as having three distinct phases, with the Dons dominant in the first half, Doncaster posing a threat after a double change at half-time, only for the Dons’ third goal to open the floodgates and set MK up for the win. Reflecting, Warne said he was happy with how the team managed things.

He said, “I thought we were pretty imperious in the first 30 minutes and then we sort-of went away from it a bit. It might just be a manager thing but it felt it went a little bit soft. However, Collins got 2 great finishes and put us in good stead at half-time for 2-0. They obviously made a couple of changes, as would I if I were in their dugout and would expect a response from my team and we just had to ride the storm for 20 minutes, and they were right on top.

“We just looked a bit leggy then, that’s the honest truth, and we couldn’t get out, but the strange thing for me is that when they scored, the game flipped again. You’d think it’d flip the other way, they’d get another goal, and we’d go from 2-0 and feeling comfortable to behind, which would’ve been a more difficult presser as I’d have to explain it.

“But what I really liked the most about today is that the lads didn’t panic and just went on it and won really handsome. All the game changers who came on were excellent.”