Blackpool players know the importance of MK Dons meeting

The Seasiders currently find themselves second from bottom of the League One table after losing five of their first seven games.

Like Blackpool, this afternoon’s opponents have only managed one win from their opening seven games.

That has left them rooted inside the bottom four, just a place above the Seasiders.

Despite the season only being a month old, Williams admits there’s no hiding from the significance of this afternoon’s encounter.

“It’s definitely a big game and we know that as a group of lads,” the 24-year-old said.

“We want to get a win this weekend. The feeling we had after Swindon (when Blackpool won 2-0), we want to get that back and we want to build on it.

“MK Dons are a very good footballing team, which will be a good game for us as well because we like to pass it around too.

“It will be a tough game, but I’m sure if we show our quality then we’ll go on and win the game.”

Despite Blackpool’s worrying losing record, Williams believes they’ve shown some good signs this season.

“I think our performances have been very good. We’re dominating games, but the results haven’t gone our way,” the midfielder added.

“That needs to change but I’m sure with the players we’ve got it will change quickly. The games come thick and fast so we need to put it right.

“Against Charlton on Tuesday night, it didn’t help going down to 10 men but I thought we stuck together as a team and it was 0-0 right up until the last seven minutes.

“We need to switch it to having that winning feeling, which we all love in football. I’m sure if we keep working as we are and taking on board everything the gaffer (Neil Critchley) is telling us, the results will change quickly.”

Having started the season as a substitute, Williams has since found himself starting Pool’s last two games in the absence of the injured Keshi Anderson.

The former Rochdale man has done a solid job, having impressed in the draw against Crewe Alexandra before having a difficult night against Charlton after James Husband’s early red card.

Williams and Ethan Robson played as a midfield two against Charlton’s three after Grant Ward was sacrificed to allow Dan Ballard on the pitch.

“Wardy was a massive miss because he does get around the pitch and does bring great quality to the team,” Williams said.

“It was a tough one for him. Playing against three in midfield was extra work but we were willing to do it to try and get a result.

“I’ve loved every minute when I’ve been playing. I’ve come here to play and I want to give everything I can to this football club.

“I’m enjoying the way we’re playing. It’s a different way of playing to how I’ve played before over the last couple of seasons, but I’m enjoying it.

“The players here are great players and that applies to the staff as well.”