Paul Warne calls out his own players after MK Dons’ embarrassing 5-1 defeat to West Ham U21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night.
He criticised the lack of intensity, pressing, and tackling in the first half, where they trailed 3-0. Despite a better second half, and remained frustrated, noting that even with changes from their previous league match, the team lacked personality initially but showed improvement later.
He refrained from praising individual players, feeling they didn’t deserve it. Fair to say he didn’t hold back his thoughts.
“I was embarrassed with our performance, first half,” Warne said to BBC Three Counties Radio.
“I didn’t think we pressed with any intensity. I don’t think we tackled, I don’t think we made a foul.
“That is as far away from a team that I want to witness.
“Being honest, I thought we were horrific. In the second half, I really liked us.
“But then that makes me even angrier because I think the players have just wasted 45 minutes of their careers.”
Warne made a number of changes from the side which drew at Chesterfield in the league on Saturday, but was still disappointed.
“I appreciate we have some young players within the team and it’s a good learning curve for them but I just don’t think we played with any personality in that first half,” he added.
“We didn’t put a fingerprint on anyone.
“In the second half we were much more aggressive with the press. There were much better performances.
“I don’t want to highlight anyone, I don’t think they deserve my praise.”
Warne: ‘I thought we were horrific first half’
Paul Warne reacts after MK Dons lose 5-1 against West Ham U21s in the EFL Trophy.@sam_avery1 #MKDons
— BBC Sport Three Counties (@BBCSport3CR) September 16, 2025
Simone Troso said, per MK Citizen: “Football has no sympathy towards anyone, young or senior,” he said. “The performance was miles off it, way below the standard expected of us. No matter how old you are, if the gaffer gives you the opportunity you should be ready, you’re expected to be ready. He has every right to be angry.
“We were miles off the standard expected of us in the first-half. In the second-half, the gaffer asked us to be more aggressive out of possession and I think we showed that, but the first-half cost us. There was a slight reaction but it wasn’t good enough from anyone.
“It was very bittersweet. It was a proud moment for me and my family to make my debut but obviously it would have been nicer to get a result on the back of it.
“It’s not the best first appearance, but I’m hoping for more in the future. Chances like this don’t come very often, hopefully I can get another chance and I can show a bit more of what I can do. That’s the plan.”
Preston Fearon said, per the West Ham website: “I’ve been focusing on my finishing in training. When George [Earthy] set it, I just thought, shoot. And then my movement to get to the second goal is also something I’ve been looking to improve. It was a perfect cross from Mo [Kanté].
“I definitely enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the team. We played so well as a unit, especially in the first half. It was really good for all of us.
“It was the first time I’ve had that kind of reception after coming off as a substitute. It felt good, scoring two goals, playing well. To get that sort of reaction makes you feel like the fans see you as part of the club’s future. I just hope they recognise the effort I put in.
“I had my nan, grandad, sister, sister’s boyfriend, brother, brother’s girlfriend, mum, dad, two cousins and my dad’s friends there. I’ve got such a supportive family and they help me every game. They’re always coming to watch, home or away. They help so much.”
This is how fans reacted as Paul Warne calls out his own players after MK Dons’ embarrassing 5-1 defeat to West Ham U21s…
@upthedonsss: It’s just vile to be honest are future isn’t looking good
@shaunmulhern95: Callum Tripp needs a loan move along with a lot of these youngsters, just simply not ready to challenge for places in the team
@OllieM__: Tripp, Leko, Collar, Mellish awful
@Twilley3: Jesus this is woeful! Feel for the youngsters and appreciate we’re playing against a team full of prem academy and a once great keeper but it’s embarrassing.. @MKDonsFC
@idontcareicba: “our academy is crap” my goodness me they’ve just played a team where some of the players have been making PL appearances on the regular of course they’re not gonna be better, point your fingers at the senior players who looked out of their depth ffs
@franchise_mk: Fahad never mind splashing the cash on the first team start investing in our youth because fuck me man 😭😭😭
@Southdoncosmos: Keep seeing youth but there’s a sprinkling of first team players who should be doing more
@KillerDons1: Very tough watch
@kevski1163: Take Leko off, give him a suitcase and tell him to leave.
@TheSullis: Better midfield than the first team
@WestHamViews_: Fabianski, Golambeckis, Potts, Fearon, Earthy, Kante and Marshall would all make strong cases to start in the first team right now over some of the players currently being selected. Time to start giving the lads a chance Potter! ⚒️
@tomdorey03: At least our youth team can put in a good fight and result unlike our first team. Perhaps Graham Potter should be taking a few notes from the youth
@WestHamNonsense: Look, we all know this is completely different to PL level – but Potts needs to be given a chance. Ward-Prowse is killing our midfield. Well played U21’s this evening 👏🏻👏🏻
@Mark18951: Now play them Saturday ⚒
@louie_mk: Leko and collar just shockingly bad 😂😂
It’s genuinely comedy 😭 #mkdons #dons pic.twitter.com/iuNqgcXrzK
— joe (@upthedonsss) September 16, 2025