I don’t believe he instructs them to set out to play defensively, apart from very occasionally. Barnet away last season springs particularly to mind. Perhaps MK away first game this season.

I didn’t see that we set out to play defensively today. Players just for some reason couldn’t seem to string more than 2 or 3 passes together.

I agree that recruitment is almost solely down to the manager. Mellon’s record there has been mixed. But, on balance he has definitely gradually improved the quality of the squad since he has been here.