Manager on MK Dons postponement
Lee Johnson has defended the decision to postpone Latics' home Sky Bet League 1 match against Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday.In the wake of criticism from some quarters, Latics' manager (pictured) has explained why the club sought the cancellation, as they are permitted, because they had three players away in international duty.
And in the wake of injuries picked up this week, Johnson believes even more so that it was the correct decision.
He said: "I had a fella on the phone slaughtering me for cancelling the game and saying we had have 30-odd players which we haven't.
"When you looks at the players who are away on international duty, those who are on loan and those injured, we are thin on the ground.
"The fact is we have three international who are away and who would have been in the squad. We are not big enough to deal with that when we potentially have games Saturday/Tuesday for four weeks."
Johnson added his reasoning for the postponement.
He said: "MK Dons would have come here fresh having not had a game for one week.
"They are a good side and we can't not be at it pressing wise. This would be our third 90 minutes in one week and, when you are a bit stiff, it is hard to press.
"You also have to remember how important Tuesday's game at Wolves is.
"If we played MK Dons and Wolves when we were tired, we will get beaten in both because they are two good sides.
"It gives me the chance to get Charlie MacDonald and Matteo Lanzoni back while Connor Brown gets another week.
"We have a really intense period of games and I need my whole squad. That is why the decision was made."
Johnson added he has also spoke to MK Dons manager Karl Robinson to explain the situation.