AIDY Boothroyd has issued his first stern team talk at this early stage, warning his players that he expects better of them, even in the pre-season friendlies.

Boothroyd saw his men falter at stadiummk as the MK Dons ran out 2-1 winners with a goal either side of Jon Harley's first strike for the club.

The gaffer said: "I'm disappointed with that tonight. We are better than that. The fans deserve better than that and I want to give them better.

"When you pick the games that you want to play in pre-season, you pick teams who you think are going to give you a test, but you think you're picking teams that you will beat.

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"They weren't an easy team though; having just been promoted their confidence was high and they brought the game to us. But as always, I'd rather have these results now than during the season.

"You always expect there to be mistakes at this time of year, especially when you're changing a system as we are, but there was a lack of energy tonight and that's inexcusable.

"It doesn't matter what system you're playing, a will to win should always be there."

The Hornets manager had seen enough after just 19 minutes when he ran down from the stands to spend the rest of the game on the touchline where he looked much more at home.

He explains why: "It had the feeling of a testimonial game and that's not how it should be at this time of year. They looked like the team in the Championship and we looked more League One."

There were some positives though, trialist Ulises De La Cruz had another steady game and Theo Robinson impressed after coming on off the bench.

"Theo hasn't done himself any harm tonight at all. A lot of these kids are going to have to step up their game as they could well be key players for us this season and Theo for one has given me something to think about in the build up to the Crystal Palace game

"Ulises has also done well for us, it may be that he's earned himself a contract, we'll have to wait and see. He's only been with us for a week and a half, but he's enthusiastic and he's just what I want on the pitch."