harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,565 
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Post by harrybuckle on Apr 19, 2021 16:42:36 GMT
The penultimate home fixture of a quite depressing season tomorrow evening.
Opportunity to blood some of our development players to see if they are worth keeping for next seasons new challenge.
Young keeper Liam Armstrong, strikers Kieron Philips and Harry Warwick and midfielders Tom Mehew and Lucas Tomlinson need some minutes to impress the coaching staff.
If we fail to score again it will equal another unwanted club record of 20 matches set in season 2000/01. Mind you we still have three others to equal or create a new record!
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Post by laughinggas on Apr 19, 2021 17:10:36 GMT
Day early.
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bluetornados
Predictions League
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Posts: 15,737
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 19, 2021 20:29:27 GMT
Stats for M.K Dons are - P15, W4, D3, L8 - The most exciting match was a 3-3 away draw.
We have to take care of our score first & most of the others could help us out.
Swindon Town v Portsmouth
Accrington Stanley v Doncaster Rovers
AFC Wimbledon v Oxford United
Bristol Rovers v Milton Keynes Dons
Burton Albion v Lincoln City
Northampton Town v Ipswich Town
Rochdale v Blackpool
Shrewsbury Town v Wigan Athletic
Fleetwood Town v Crewe Alexandra
Hull City v Sunderland
Peterborough United v Gillingham
Plymouth Argyle v Charlton Athletic
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phil74
Joined: October 2018
Posts: 354
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Post by phil74 on Apr 20, 2021 11:31:01 GMT
It's the ultimate test of our psychology tonight.
We have to win all our remaining games. Four in a row. Our best so far this season is two.
Will we come out focused and ready for this challenge? Or are we already broken? I fear the latter. Plus, we have far too many key injuries.
MK Dons dominate possession against all opponents, but results are mixed. They capitulated against Lincoln but beat Portsmouth at the weekend. They've only scored two goals in the last five. Will Grigg's not on fire. Yet.
Lincoln and Crewe both beat Dons with ease. Joey was watching some of the first game and felt he could identify weaknesses. What I did notice about both games is that Lincoln and Crewe both set up with back 4's. Crewe played a 4-3-3. Almost all their shots were on target too, which suggests the ability to find decent space around the back line. Can we finally do the same and offer our strikers something more than a long ball with their back to goal? MK Dons always play their trademark 3-5-1-1.
Our game against Lincoln appeared quite even on paper. However, the stats masked the fact that the chances they did create were far better than ours - and of course they took one.
Much as I'd love us to start with a back 4, I can't see it happening. I suspect we'll try another variant on the Gillingham away tactics (playing 3 up top and bypassing midfield completely).
I suspect the line-up will be: DAY (Jaakola didn't train yesterday); LEAHY; HARRIES; WILLIAMS; MARTINEZ; McCORMICK; WESTBROOKE; WALKER; DALY; HANLAN (if fit); AYUNGA. Looks like a very attacking 3 -4 -3... on paper. But look at it in reality: we could potentially surrender the entire midfield.
With this in mind, I fear a heavy defeat tonight - with us huffing and puffing while MK quietly run rings around us.
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Post by emperorsuperbus on Apr 20, 2021 12:59:48 GMT
We have to go for the 12 points starting tonight, and see where that takes us, safety or needing snookers; probably the former.
So we have to field strongest side, no more kids getting time in this one.
Joey got it spectacularly wrong last Saturday, we were all utterly bemused by the line up before kick off “Daly on the bench with Hanlon?” We were supposed to be throwing the bat. The creation less goal less meek and boring surrender bore out the managers mistakes, stats made up from half chances and composure lacking punts at goal.
It has to be a back four, Ayunga central with Hanlan right and Daly left. 2 ball winning midfielders and one roaming playmaker. The three of them very narrow, let the 3 up top and bits of fullback provide attacking width. 4 3 3
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Post by gasheadpirate on Apr 20, 2021 13:57:33 GMT
How can a side that has not won more than two on the trot lol season and score less than one per game be expected to win four on the bounce? Fantasy football. We re down. Accept the inevitable. You will feel better for it.
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kingswood Polak
Without music life would be a mistake
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 10,361
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Post by kingswood Polak on Apr 20, 2021 14:11:24 GMT
It's the ultimate test of our psychology tonight. We have to win all our remaining games. Four in a row. Our best so far this season is two. Will we come out focused and ready for this challenge? Or are we already broken? I fear the latter. Plus, we have far too many key injuries. MK Dons dominate possession against all opponents, but results are mixed. They capitulated against Lincoln but beat Portsmouth at the weekend. They've only scored two goals in the last five. Will Grigg's not on fire. Yet. Lincoln and Crewe both beat Dons with ease. Joey was watching some of the first game and felt he could identify weaknesses. What I did notice about both games is that Lincoln and Crewe both set up with back 4's. Crewe played a 4-3-3. Almost all their shots were on target too, which suggests the ability to find decent space around the back line. Can we finally do the same and offer our strikers something more than a long ball with their back to goal? MK Dons always play their trademark 3-5-1-1. Our game against Lincoln appeared quite even on paper. However, the stats masked the fact that the chances they did create were far better than ours - and of course they took one. Much as I'd love us to start with a back 4, I can't see it happening. I suspect we'll try another variant on the Gillingham away tactics (playing 3 up top and bypassing midfield completely). I suspect the line-up will be: DAY (Jaakola didn't train yesterday); LEAHY; HARRIES; WILLIAMS; MARTINEZ; McCORMICK; WESTBROOKE; WALKER; DALY; HANLAN (if fit); AYUNGA. Looks like a very attacking 3 -4 -3... on paper. But look at it in reality: we could potentially surrender the entire midfield. With this in mind, I fear a heavy defeat tonight - with us huffing and puffing while MK quietly run rings around us. I would be very shocked if he set up with anything other than 3 at the back and a lone striker. I fear Joseph has that stubborness about him and he will persist in this tactic, until he feels we can play that way. I see a cagey game but I think MK will be 2 goals better than us. I would put my properties against winning 2, let alone 4. While we are at it, what does Daly have to do, to get a start ? Yes, I don’t like Barton but I always want us to win. |
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,565
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Post by harrybuckle on Apr 20, 2021 16:11:38 GMT
Joey watches Daly in training and I guess he does not rate him highly enough to put him in the side.
Our academy/development players too need consideration too as we won't know if they are suitable and component to play at league level.
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bluetornados
Predictions League
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Post by bluetornados on Apr 20, 2021 16:38:19 GMT
We have to win all 4 games and rely on other results going our way, the only solution is attack, push players forward and use all the subs to keep legs fresh.
We have no choice, backs up against the wall job tonight, draws are useless, come on you blues, the fat lady is climbing up on to the rostrum.
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Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2021 16:42:30 GMT
How can a side that has not won more than two on the trot lol season and score less than one per game be expected to win four on the bounce? Fantasy football. We re down. Accept the inevitable. You will feel better for it. Have we won 2 in a row since the ridiculous decision to appoint Garner? |
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Post by laughinggas on Apr 20, 2021 17:03:56 GMT
Is it 3 4 3 tonight?
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Post by laughinggas on Apr 20, 2021 17:05:03 GMT
Rodman and Walker in for Westbrook and Hare
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Post by emperorsuperbus on Apr 20, 2021 17:24:36 GMT
Rodman and Walker in for Westbrook and Hare and Hanlan in. Looks to me a 4 3 3. Back 4 3 up. did we appeal the Upson card. If we didn’t appeal it is some admittance of guilt. |
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harrybuckle
Always look on the bright side
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,565
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Post by harrybuckle on Apr 20, 2021 17:29:56 GMT
With Swindon beating Pompey 1 0 Pittman 15 mins we are currently bottom of league one.
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phil74
Joined: October 2018
Posts: 354
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Post by phil74 on Apr 20, 2021 17:33:04 GMT
Rodman and Walker in for Westbrook and Hare and Hanlan in. Looks to me a 4 3 3. Back 4 3 up. did we appeal the Upson card. If we didn’t appeal it is some admittance of guilt. How much do you think we should press against a side that always dominates possession? |
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phil74
Joined: October 2018
Posts: 354
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Post by phil74 on Apr 20, 2021 17:40:32 GMT
14 Dec 2019: 4th in League One.
Since then: Played 58. Won: 12. Drawn: 13. Lost: 33.
This must be the worst record in the entire EFL ?
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Post by emperorsuperbus on Apr 20, 2021 17:40:58 GMT
and Hanlan in. Looks to me a 4 3 3. Back 4 3 up. did we appeal the Upson card. If we didn’t appeal it is some admittance of guilt. How much do you think we should press against a side that always dominates possession? in the situation we are in, having to get 3 points, to throw a kitchen sink you have to have the sink in your possession, when they have the ball we need to take it off them and look after it quite well ourselves, to create proper opportunities not the half chances we have under Barton. in a mid table game, hold your energy levels and just play your way into match. Situation dictates energy burn up, hence someone up thread smart in saying use all five subs to keep the energy high as possible. that is the attacking 4 3 3 isn’t it? |
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phil74
Joined: October 2018
Posts: 354
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Post by phil74 on Apr 20, 2021 17:57:28 GMT
How much do you think we should press against a side that always dominates possession? in the situation we are in, having to get 3 points, to throw a kitchen sink you have to have the sink in your possession, when they have the ball we need to take it off them and look after it quite well ourselves, to create proper opportunities not the half chances we have under Barton. in a mid table game, hold your energy levels and just play your way into match. Situation dictates energy burn up, hence someone up thread smart in saying use all five subs to keep the energy high as possible. that is the attacking 4 3 3 isn’t it? I'd love us to play an attacking 4-3-3 in the mode I expected of Joey from the start. Something like Oxford do... but, hey, we can dream.. |
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basel
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 3,064
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Post by basel on Apr 20, 2021 18:19:18 GMT
Frazer,0 1 to MK.
"We're doomed"
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Rex
Predictions League
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Posts: 3,287
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Post by Rex on Apr 20, 2021 18:19:40 GMT
Can we go down tonight?
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