Milton Keynes Dons (H) January 18th, 3pm

"Is there poetry in the parking lot?
In the grid like lines of Milton Keynes?"

Mina Harker

We welcome Franchise FC as we return to our quest to escape from the clutches of League 2 - strangely enough the Dons are in the unusual position of having a game in hand over us, but as we have a 21 point advantage over them it’s nothing to fret over. They currently occupy a mid-table position (11th), with this appropriate up-and-down form …

December 14th Gillingham (H) Lost 0-1
December 21st Newport County (A) Lost 6-3
December 26th Notts County (H) Lost 0-2
December 29th Crewe Alexandra (H) Drew 1-1
January 1st Chesterfield (A) Won 1-2
January 4th Salford City (H) Lost 0-1

The Dons’ squad is strong in numbers, and it’s probable that we will see an ex-Saddler in the form of Craig MacGillivray on their bench. Others who qualify in the “played for both” category include Matt Carbon, Jabo Ibehre, Paul Downing, Zeli Ismail, Zak Jules, Will Grigg, Russell Martin, Andrew Surman, Cameron Norman and Craig Westcarr.

Mat Sadler has probably been far too busy this week to concentrate on tactics for this game - he has a squad to maintain (and improve?), recently weakened by the Nathan Lowe recall and a mounting injury list, Donervon Daniels being the latest addition. He does have breathing space thanks to our 12 point lead over 2nd place Crewe Alexandra, and we are currently 14 points ahead of the play-off zone - with a massively superior goal difference.

No news as yet of any signings, but no doubt the phones are buzzing and we must wait and see what transpires. However, as we showed in the 2nd half at Peterborough, even a bunch of our 2nd-choice players do have the ability and attitude to worry the opposition.

Prediction? Well, we’re back on our own turf, and if Newport County can put 6 goals past the Dons I see no reason why we can’t attain a respectable 2-1 win and another 3 points en route to the League 2 title.

UTS

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One of only 3 clubs who could still do the double over us.

Momentum is key…we’ve got enough about us. 2-1 to the reds

We battered Tranmere to stop one of the three. To be fair we battered them at theirs

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Because the Gillingham game got rearranged, they have the possibility to do so as well.

So it is still 3.

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If we can maintain our performance levels I think we’ll win this. MK are a tidy enough side but they’ve fallen off it a little recently. MK have made a few signings in Jan - you’d think it would take a few weeks for them to bed in, but you never know, and I think those signings they’ve made are the main threat.

Our squad is looking a little bare - but we still have good options all over the park - 2 from 4 in attack, 3 from 4 in mid and 3 from 4 at the back. I don’t see the likes of Maher or Rico as first team starters. With new Nathan signing we’ve got some cover at wing back but that’s probably where we’re weakest right now in terms of depth.

I think a 2-1 victory to us

Desperate for a positive result out of this one to show the rest of the league we’re not a one-man team. Saturday, 3pm, no danger of this one being called off… let’s get Bescot packed and support the lads.

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Try to avoid that word reminds me of COD :wink:

Can we go on winning ? That is the question. I think we are due a draw so I will go 1-1 .

Can’t see beyond a draw I’m afraid, and even that could be a stretch, if we’re still waiting on transfers.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man.

In the absence of Knowles and Lowe, is it time for -

:notes:Josh Gor-don
Always believe in …

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Unfortunately

Comfortable 3-0 win!

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I don’t expect JG to be our main striker but I have a feeling he might fit well with the team as it is.

What Lowe did really well for us was to make space in the box, from where he scored a lot and missed some too. He also worked very hard. Gordon will work as hard, if not more so, will pick up a goal or two and will be a very useful player. We still need one or two others but Gordon is no passenger and his heart is with the team.

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We can’t (and won’t) win every game but with our team giving everything and having a never say die attitude let’s hope we can keep it going at home but I wouldn’t be surprised if we draw.

Team selection will be interesting.
Assuming we don’t sign a striker who will be upfront?

Probably Matt and Adomah to start with Josh Gordon and DJ on the bench.
Whilst I’m not a proponent of tweaking the system, how might we fit McEntee, Stirk, Lakin and Jellis in midfield?
Might it be possible to play Jellis further forward?


1-0 to the Saddlers. Super Joshy Gordon the match winner

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Dont, sign of a good team and most importantly a good manager is not trying to fit everyone into the same team and managing that

Id be surprised if its not the usual:

Simkin
Dave williams allen

Barrett jellis mcentee stirk gordon

Matt adomah

As per my previous comments on the subject, Albert was the usual replacement for Matt to play alongside Lowe rather than the 2 of them being played together. DJ was the one who most often came on for Lowe but the lad’s form restricted his time on the pitch, and nearly always it would be after Jamma had already been taken off so that is why we haven’t seen much of them together.

Flash didn’t do his chances any harm last night but, after being out so long, he’ll probably only make the bench at best. So (to me) Matt/DJ is the most likely starting pair.

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