Gladwin hopes to 'unlock' MK Dons' potential

Ben Gladwin played 39 games for MK Dons between January 2020 and the summer of 2021

Former MK Dons midfielder Ben Gladwin wants to get people "feeling a little bit better" at the League Two club after taking the helm.

The 32-year-old was put in interim charge on Monday following the sacking of Scott Lindsey a day earlier.

The Dons will look for their first win since 28 January in Tuesday's game at Accrington Stanley, one of four away fixtures in their next five.

"The biggest thing we can look to do in this period of time, however long it lasts, is just getting everybody pulling in the same direction, everybody feeling a little bit better, (with) performances at a level where everyone can feel proud and really connected to it," Gladwin told BBC Three Counties Radio.

Gladwin had a short spell as Crawley Town caretaker boss when Lindsey left the Sussex club to move to Stadium: MK in September.

He subsequently followed Lindsey to become part of the Dons coaching team and is now succeeding him on a caretaker basis for a second time, with MK 17th in the table, having taken only one point from their past six games.

Gladwin added: "It's the second time in seven months I've ended up doing it. Hopefully I'm a little more prepared this time.

"Just trying to unlock the performances and make the players feel free enough to perform at their best level is definitely the angle I'm going to go at - try to create a really good energy and environment around the place.

"Building squads and putting players together doesn't always click immediately. It's our job now to find a solution for the guys, provide them with a feeling of connection and some clarity that when they go on that pitch, they understand how they can hurt the opposition and how they can protect our goal together."

Lewington looking to find 'next path'

Jamie Day and Ian Watson will be part of Gladwin's coaching group, but there is no formal role for veteran defender Dean Lewington, who has acted as interim boss on three occasions, most recently prior to Lindsey's appointment.

The 40-year-old - fifth on the all-time list for most league appearances with 818 - has not played since mid-November and is looking to further his coaching experience.

Speaking before Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Colchester United, which ultimately cost him his job, Lindsey told BBC Three Counties Radio there had been "no rift or fall-out" with Lewington.

"I want to support Dean to try to find out what his journey looks like next - there's only so many coaches can be employed by one team, but I would never say never," Lindsey said.

"He's trying to help me, help the squad as much as he can, but also help himself in terms of finding out what his next path looks like and we're here to support that obviously."

Lewington recently spent a day at Bristol City observing the methods of former Dons boss Liam Manning.