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MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Reports and reaction from the 2014-2015 season as Walsall finished 14th in League 1
Welsh_Saddler
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MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 10:10 am

Sunday's game appears to be in the "mission impossible" category as far as the Saddlers coming home with 3 points is concerned. The Dons really do seem to be scoring goals for fun while at the same time conceding even fewer than ourselves. Their manager Karl Robinson is on record as saying that they're not nicking games 1-0 but scoring well, and the facts do tend to support his view. Notable results include the Dons' scoring 5 at Barnsley, 6 at home to both Crewe Alexandra and Colchester, and 7 at home to the hapless Oldham Athletic only a week or so ago. Their most recent games:

29 Nov Colchester United (H) Won 6-0
2 Dec Sheffield United (A) Won 0-1
6 Dec Chesterfield (H) Lost 0-1 (F.A. Cup 2nd round, due to be replayed after Chesterfield's admin lapse)
13 Dec Preston North End (A) Drew 1-1
20 Dec Oldham Athletic (H) Won 7-0
26 Dec Notts County (A) Won 0-1

Leading scorer Benik Afobe has 18 goals to his credit so far this season, midfielder Dele Alli has weighed in with 10, and a certain Master W. Grigg has 9 to his name. It's also a strong squad - 14 players have managed to score for them, and that's with a slightly smaller squad (25) than ours (27).

It's well-recognised that teams often have the ability to bounce back after defeats - we can point to the Rochdale mess, and don't forget that Swindon Town came to us having lost at home to Doncaster Rovers only days earlier. However even accepting that, my natural optimism doesn't extend to a prediction of a win at the National Hockey Stadium. Even with a full-strength XI the very best I can see would be would be a very hard-earned point - 0-0 would be something of an achievement.

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SaigonSaddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 11:21 am

A spirited 2-1 defeat.

Smith to blame for not prepping the defence that the ball will come off the lower left post and hit a striker in the left testicle in 68th minute.

Our 20 pass goal the result of Venus in alignment with Uranus and a rising Libra.

Messageboard to be filled with 8 pages of tearfilled rants about crappy Xmas presents and the word 'dickheads'

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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 12:18 pm

Will Grigg to score and celebrate in front of the Walsall fans knowing that a certain element will still moan - there's no pleasing some people :D

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aaaae
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 3:15 pm

I'll be there - I'm a little bit worried...

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pumajaguar
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:35 pm

Bradshaw or Grigg? Who do people think was better?

I honestly think Bradshaw. Nearly matched Grigg's goals from open play and is playing in an inferior side to what he had in 2012/13, especially in attack.

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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 6:40 pm

As goalscorer? Bradshaw,
As a team player/creator Grigg
Who will have the better career? Bradshaw no doubt

Cully
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 8:16 pm

My guess is a loss win or draw for either team. This accurate guess is based on reading the selective statistical analysis of the leading experts in the field of selling books with catchy titles to teachers and road surface cleansing technicians. Recommended further reading includes Russell Grant's guide to the cause and effect of wearing sparkly jewellery on the outcome of a football match and Russell Brand's latest tome entitled 'Suck my stump West Am bitch'.

Message board to be joined by contributors from Ulan Bator after the game who recognise SMITHOUT as the one true messiah.

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JonnyOwen
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sat Dec 27, 2014 9:25 pm

1-1, Bradshaw and Alli with the goals.

Really hope we can pick ourselves back up again, that we can rest and take Henry out of the firing line and bring Taylor in who's experience will help in steadying the ship again. One bad games doesn't make a good bad 5 bad, the lads can pick themselves up.

I'm 50/50 on whether to drop Sawyers, parts of me thinks he needs a kick, but then I look at the bench and think Grimes wouldn't get in the game enough and Bax would get trampled and killed.

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canadiansaddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 9:08 am

A solid defensive performance to get us back on track , 0-0 bore draw in front of 8,457 souls with 643 making the trip from Bescot to Bletchley.

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chestersaddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 9:23 am

Wragbyred wrote:As goalscorer? Bradshaw,
As a team player/creator Grigg
Who will have the better career? Bradshaw no doubt


Depends how you measure success?

Both look decent L1 players, but both will need to improve to go on to the next level.

There is doubt about Bradshaw's injury proneness though and by the end of this season he could be two L1 promotions and many thousand pounds banked behind Grigg.

2-2 draw today.

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chestersaddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 9:26 am

Leatherman wrote:Will Grigg to score and celebrate in front of the Walsall fans knowing that a certain element will still moan - there's no pleasing some people :D


:mrgreen:

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aaaae
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 10:07 am

It's cold this morning, wrap up warm Saddlers!

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sid swifty
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 12:49 pm

aaaae wrote:It's cold this morning, wrap up warm Saddlers!

Is that you Mom?..... :?

Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:41 pm

Starting line-up against the Dons:

O'Donnell

O'Connor
Downing
Chambers
Taylor

Forde
Cain
Chambers
Cook

Sawyers
Bradshaw

Substitutes: MacGillivray, Purkiss, Benning, Baxendale, Flanagan, Grimes, Manset.

Rico Henry doesn't make the bench - possibly injured on Boxing Day? Will Grigg starts for the Dons, he's No. 11.
Dons' leading scorer Afobe (18 goals) starts from the bench. :?

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Jolly Johnny
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:54 pm

Looks like Purkiss and Rico are the fall guys after Boxing Day. Sawyers needs a good game today, and play like he did for stretches in the first half against Swindon. Same for Cook and Forde.

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Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:00 pm

Odds at kick-off are unsurprising:

Home win 1/2............Draw 3/1...............Away win 11/2

Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:05 pm

So of course we take an early lead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 0-1 :lol: :lol: :lol: (Potter, o.g.)

Very early days, but we're now 11th in the table, 3 points from the play-offs................

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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:20 pm

15 minutes and we're still ahead - despite Dongs' pressure.

Goals at Spotland....... Rochdale 0 Fleetwood 2

If we're still ahead at half-time it poses an interesting substitute question - do we pack the defence and hold on to what we've got, or go all out to extend the lead. We can't have two goalkeepers, can we????? :wink:

Gillingham 0 Bristol City 2

Bradford City 1 Notts County 0 (40 min)

BarnsleySaddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:49 pm

Feel that if you try to just defend a goal it leaves you more likely to concede than if you play normally and attack as well. (on the premis that we are not allowed to build a wall across the goal line at half time.)

Could be a long 45 mins.

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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:50 pm

Only worry listening to commentary is that we are not 2 or 3 up. Hope we don't regret it in 2nd half

Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 3:52 pm

MK Dons 0 Walsall 1 at half-time. We certainly seem to have tightened up since Boxing Day.

A very long 45 minutes it's going to be, and I honestly don't share the opinions of the powers-that-be in the betting industry who now have us as 10/11 favourites to win. This is Walsall we're talking about - I mean, come on, get a life!!!

Swindon Town 1 Port Vale 0

Gillingham 1 Bristol City 3 now

Dons' substitution - leading scorer Afobe on for Bowditch. (54 min)

Ledesma scores to give Rotherham the lead at Blackpool.

Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:24 pm

** Victor Meldrew Mode** "I don't BELIEVE it"............... 0-2 to Walsall, would you believe?????? (Bradshaw, naturally!!!) :D :D

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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:26 pm

Think that answers the question about whether to sit back and defend! :D :D

He scores then he`s booked.

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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:28 pm

I said on the Swindon thread that this is the type of game where we become coupon busters, never expected to be 2-0 up :D

Bradshaw is a goal machine

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kshammer
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:29 pm

Bradshaw or Grigg... not even a contest. Grigg was good, Bradshaw is better.

Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:29 pm

BarnsleySaddler wrote:Think that answers the question about whether to sit back and defend! :D :D

He scores then he`s booked.



All very well, but we all know about the Saddlers' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory....... :?

Welsh_Saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:31 pm

Two more substitutions for the Dons, but nothing from SMITHIN as yet...... :D

Edit..... Benning on for Forde.

0-3 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Couldn't be anything else, could it??? That man Bradshaw again :D :D :D :D

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shrewsbury saddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:39 pm

3=0. Bradshaw again. Chickens now can officially be counted!

BarnsleySaddler
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:40 pm

Further I don`t believe it mode. Bradshaw again. 0-3. :D :D :D

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kshammer
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Re: MK Dons (A) League One Sunday 28 Dec, 3pm

Sun Dec 28, 2014 4:40 pm

What a player.

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