Allen: MK Dons the best footballing side in League One

Notts County boss Martin Allen has labelled Saturday’s opponents the MK Dons as “the best Footballing team” in League One and has recognised the recent developments that the club has made since his departure five years ago.

Despite lingering financial restrictions, Allen led the Dons to the League Two playoffs in 2007 and has publically praised his former employers in developing the younger players. Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham Allen said, “They’ve developed some very good young players, young players that I knew when I was their five years ago.”

Mk Dons were narrowly knocked out of the FA Cup during Tuesday night’s third round replay loss to Premier League newcomers Queens Park Rangers, and the County boss admits that he couldn’t hide his delighted in witnessing the improvements first hand. He continued, “The other night at QPR, watching them play I had a few writhe smiles to myself because some of that is part of my work.”

Following Allen’s exit, the Dons appointed Paul Ince who successfully guided the club into League One before Karl Robinson took over the reins in 2010. In spite of his relative inexperience, Allen has been impressed with the Dons boss who continues to improve his own reputation as an up and coming young manager. He continued, “ Paul Ince and then Karl Robinson have really taken it on to another level, Karl will go to the top there is no doubt about it.” 

Notts County are without a league victory since November and have fallen away from the playoff contingent, although Allen believes avoiding a second season immersed in a relegation battle is the main objective this season and see’s the playoffs as long term target. Allen added, “The aim this season is to make sure we don’t go through what we went through last year and once we achieve that target then we will see if we can get to the playoffs. All of us would love that long term goal.”