M K Dons (H) League One 14th March, 3pm

[Welsh_Saddler]

If ever there was an ideal game to turn our home form around and register a thumping win, it's this week with the visit of Franchise FC. However there seem to be two competing mind-sets with our squad at present, consisting of (a)"I'm not going to risk getting injured as there's a Wembley appearance in a week or so", and (b) "I'm going to go all out and make sure of my place for the Wembley appearance in a week or so". The no-risk strategy is the only one I can think of to explain performances against Leyton Orient and Barnsley, whereas everyone seemed to put in a full shift (and more) at Yeovil. The quality of the opposition might have had something to do with it, to be fair.

Anyway, to our opponents. They're sitting pretty comfortably in the table in 4th place, on 62 points. Their current form must give them cause for concern though - they've lost four out of their last six games, and even over the ten most recent games our form is better than theirs (11 points against our 14) which did surprise me. Dons' leading scorer Deli Alli hasn't featured in the most recent games since coming off injured in the Colchester United game. There will probably be one familiar face in their line-up in Will Grigg, who is currently their second highest scorer with 12 to his name, and I feel sure that one or two of our defenders will be queuing up to welcome him. Defender Dean Lewington should be absent as he was sent off last Saturday having been booked twice. The Dons' recent form:

14 Feb Gillingham (A) Lost 4-2
17 Feb Colchester United (A) Won 0-1
21 Feb Peterborough United (H) Won 3-0
28 Feb Coventry City (A) Lost 2-1
3 Mar Chesterfield (H) Lost 1-2
7 Mar Preston North End (H) Lost 0-2

The clouds on our injury horizon appear to be clearing - Sam Mantom's appearance on the bench against Barnsley should mean he is pretty near match-fitness, and both Anthony Forde and Jordan Cook are reported to be back in contention for selection. There wouldn't seem to be much hope for Rico Henry in the short term though. :(

Predictions for this one are very tricky (as if you didn't know!) - so I think I'll go for a rousing 1-0 home win, the goal coming from an Andy Taylor free kick as our strikers settle for maintaining the ability to walk rather than be stretchered off, because there's a fixture at Wembley they'd rather like to play in........

[Cully]

SMITHOUT - PERIOD :arrow: [exit stage right]

[Andy_Petterson]

We must be on a bad run as the match threads are being hijacked before the match AGAIN. :roll:

Anyway, I think a 1-1 draw for this one, both sides will play 4-2-3-1 and cancel each other out.

Mr Grigg to score for them. Mr Hiwula to score for us.

[paddy]

I'd like to think we could stuff mk franchise & give that tosser of a manager something else to whinge about. Unfortunately I can't see it happening.

3-1 to mk, forde to score for us

[Wragbyred]

SMITHOUT - PERIOD :arrow: [exit stage right]

Oh come on Cully, get off that fence for once!

[Soton Saddler]

I really hope we can win this one.

Walsall 2 - 1 MK

Bradshaw, Cook.

C'mon Saddlers.

[otiswfc]

We need to win a game before wembley so it might as well be this one can't see it though unfortunately 1-3 to franchise Sawyers for us he's due a goal.

[Tom_1992]

Just saw Smith's pre-match preview, it seems that Cook and Forde are back fit for Saturday but Adam Chamber is 50/50. Interesting to hear that he mentioned Mantom is 'ready to start if we need him', I think that could point to a Cain and Mantom combo on Saturday...

[Leatherman]

If Deano can't get them motivated for this, then he might as well just sign the first 11 hairy lesbians he comes across (no pun intended) and play them instead.

Or sign Chewbacca as a Centre-half.

Time for bed.

[Pedagogue]

... the first 11 hairy lesbians he comes across (no pun intended) and play them instead.

Or sign Chewbacca as a Centre-half.

Hmmm - interesting team selection there. I think I'd pay good money to see that! :mrgreen:

[BathSaddler]

An improved performance from us but I think 0-1. I really, really hope I'm wrong, as we need points and desperately need to improve our home form. It is also MK Dons, so losing to a thoroughly illegitimate club is always hideous.
Attendance will be 4,093, including 540 Franchise.

[reedswood sadler]

Hoping the fact we are playing top 6 team will balance out our lousy home form, really need result from this and sheff untd game not just for points towards magic 50 but to give players confidence and hope for wembley.

[Ancient Moaner]

Should the same or similar team be picked for this game that played at Oakwell, and they play with the same guts, determination, enthusiasm & passion :? ...... Then it's 3-0 to the Dongs, minimum.
Lets all hope for a shift in quality and an unusual, but much needed change of emphasis, towards actually trying to score goals? ..............don't hold your breath folks........I'm obviously being totally unrealistic. :(

[SoccerHQ]

Looks like you just pasted that comment from the Franchise away thread. :wink:

[Welsh_Saddler]

The BBC Sport website is currently down stating "Internal Error 500", so for the time being I will have to rely on the Sky equivalent. Sky Bet's match odds favour the Dongs:-

Walsall to win: 23/10

The Draw: 5/2

M K Dons to win: 11/10

I'll be back later with updates (by hook or by crook!!)

[Welsh_Saddler]

Starting line-up against the Dons:

O'Donnell

Purkiss
O'Connor
Downing
Taylor

Mantom
Chambers
Cook
Sawyers

Hiwula
Bradshaw

Substitutes: MacGillivray, Baxendale, J. Chambers, Flanagan, Grimes, Forde, Murphy.

Will Grigg starts against us, No. 11.

[Ancient Moaner]

Starting line-up against the Dons:

O'Donnell

Purkiss
O'Connor
Downing
Taylor

Mantom
Chambers
Cook
Sawyers

Hiwula
Bradshaw

Substitutes: MacGillivray, Baxendale, J. Chambers, Flanagan, Grimes, Forde, Murphy.

Will Grigg starts against us, No. 11.

There should be a system where the weakest team should get an advantage like in that Golf batting game, 'playing off 24' (whatever that means) So we should be allowed all of our outfield subs on in addition from the start...........,I like that, it could keep the score down (a bit) :(
Sorry, I've been on the juice...I might be jabbering a bit haha!

[Chomper]

Has Cain upset Deano or is he injured.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Very early goals in Laandon..... Leyton Orient 2 Yeovil Town 0 (6 min)

[aaaae]

Has Cain upset Deano or is he injured.

His has had a dip in form. Was contributing little of late. Happens a lot with younger players. He'll be back.

[Welsh_Saddler]

I understand it's Walsall 1 M K Dons 0 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Details to follow......

Bradshaw, 7 minutes :D :D



While we're on, try Port Vale 0 Swindon Town 1

and Chesterfield 0 Coventry City 1

and Preston North End 1 Crewe Alexandra 0

and Colchester United 1 Crawley 1

and Doncaster Rovers 1 Peterborough United 1 (all these within the first 15 minutes)

[Super Gabor]

Plastic Dongs singing "where are all your Wembley fans" have been silenced.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Dons' midfielder Potter is booked, 25 min

Preston North End 2 Crewe Alexandra 0 now

Good day so far for the West Midlands.... Bluenoses 1-1, Baggies 1-0 up, and Vile 0-2 up at Sunderland :shock:

BBC stats are now on-line...Bradshaw's goal reported to be a header from the centre of the box, from an Andy Taylor cross.

[Super Gabor]

1-1 Grigg. :evil:

[Welsh_Saddler]

1-1 Grigg. :evil:

Well, of course.....who else? :evil:

Preston North End 2 Crewe Alexandra 1

Oldham Athletic 0 Barnsley 1

[BathSaddler]

1-1 Grigg. :evil:

I wonder if he celebrated the goal in the corner like he used to do :x .

[Super Gabor]

1-1 Grigg. :evil:

I wonder if he celebrated the goal in the corner like he used to do :x .

He had a quick but meaningful celebration at our fans, the git.

[Welsh_Saddler]

Scunthorpe 1 Sheffield United 0

Chesterfield 1 Coventry City 1

Oldham Athletic 1 Barnsley 2

Sunderland 0 Villa 4 now..... A change of manager is sometimes a good thing!!

[BathSaddler]

1-1 Grigg. :evil:

I wonder if he celebrated the goal in the corner like he used to do :x .

He had a quick but meaningful celebration at our fans, the git.

I would expect nothing else. Brentford reject.

[SaddlerSteve]

We may have scored but it's the same old cack!
Comedy defending for their goal.