mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday’s Sky Bet League One clash with Fleetwood Town at Stadium MK...
Back on the winning trail
The Dons will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend.
Robbie Neilson’s men have come out on top just once in their past four outings having won three of their four games prior to that.
They’ll also be looking to get back amongst the goals after failing to score in each of their last two outings – the men from MK1 have found the net just twice since the 5-3 and 4-0 victories over Northampton Town and Peterborough United respectively.
Boss Neilson believes knows the key to having the goals flow once again. Speaking after the goalless draw with Bury on Tuesday he said: “The chances come and you have to take them to try and open the game up.
“We had a few chances (against Bury) but we didn't take them and that's the big difference between that game and that Peterborough (United) game.”
Batches of five
In his post-match interview at Gigg Lane, Neilson revealed that the Dons are taking a short-term approach to games between now and the end of the season.
“We're breaking it down into five game periods. We got 10 points in the last five games before (Bury) and now we're trying to beat that if we can – we’ve got one and we have 12 to play for up until Millwall so we just need to win as many as we can.”
In order to beat their total from the last five games, they’ll need to pick up at least 10 points between now and the trip to Millwall at the start of March – a run they’ll look to start this weekend at Stadium MK.
Stopping the Cod Army
Opponents don’t come much together than a team who has not lost a league match in over three months and that’s the test that awaits Neilson & Co this Saturday.
Fourteen sides have tried a total of 15 times to defeat the Cod Army and now it’s up to the Dons to do something the likes of top-of-the-table Sheffield United and fifth-placed Bradford City couldn’t do.
The Dons’ recent home form says they’ve got a shot, having won four of their last six games at Stadium MK since the start of December – there probably hasn’t been a tougher test, however.
Defence to remain the same?
One the positives from Tuesday’s frustrating draw with Bury was the performance of the Dons’ re-arranged back four which kept a clean sheet against a Shakers outfit who had scored 12 in five heading into the meeting at Gigg Lane earlier this week.
Young professional Ben Tilney impressed on his league debut opposite right-back George Baldock while George Williams put in a solid performance in an unfamiliar central division alongside Paul Downing.
With Joe Walsh still suspended and Dean Lewington (ankle) not expected to return from injury until next weekend, it looks as though Neilson will stick with the same quartet on Saturday.
The only change that Neilson needs to make on the weekend is to replace Ed Upson, who is now out for two matches due to a suspension for collating 10 yellow cards – the returning Darren Potter is expected to fill that void.
To book tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
Tickets for Saturday's clash with Fleetwood Town at Stadium MK are priced at £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s* and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership*
The Dons will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend.
Robbie Neilson’s men have come out on top just once in their past four outings having won three of their four games prior to that.
They’ll also be looking to get back amongst the goals after failing to score in each of their last two outings – the men from MK1 have found the net just twice since the 5-3 and 4-0 victories over Northampton Town and Peterborough United respectively.
Boss Neilson believes knows the key to having the goals flow once again. Speaking after the goalless draw with Bury on Tuesday he said: “The chances come and you have to take them to try and open the game up.
“We had a few chances (against Bury) but we didn't take them and that's the big difference between that game and that Peterborough (United) game.”
Batches of five
In his post-match interview at Gigg Lane, Neilson revealed that the Dons are taking a short-term approach to games between now and the end of the season.
“We're breaking it down into five game periods. We got 10 points in the last five games before (Bury) and now we're trying to beat that if we can – we’ve got one and we have 12 to play for up until Millwall so we just need to win as many as we can.”
In order to beat their total from the last five games, they’ll need to pick up at least 10 points between now and the trip to Millwall at the start of March – a run they’ll look to start this weekend at Stadium MK.
Stopping the Cod Army
Opponents don’t come much together than a team who has not lost a league match in over three months and that’s the test that awaits Neilson & Co this Saturday.
Fourteen sides have tried a total of 15 times to defeat the Cod Army and now it’s up to the Dons to do something the likes of top-of-the-table Sheffield United and fifth-placed Bradford City couldn’t do.
The Dons’ recent home form says they’ve got a shot, having won four of their last six games at Stadium MK since the start of December – there probably hasn’t been a tougher test, however.
Defence to remain the same?
One the positives from Tuesday’s frustrating draw with Bury was the performance of the Dons’ re-arranged back four which kept a clean sheet against a Shakers outfit who had scored 12 in five heading into the meeting at Gigg Lane earlier this week.
Young professional Ben Tilney impressed on his league debut opposite right-back George Baldock while George Williams put in a solid performance in an unfamiliar central division alongside Paul Downing.
With Joe Walsh still suspended and Dean Lewington (ankle) not expected to return from injury until next weekend, it looks as though Neilson will stick with the same quartet on Saturday.
The only change that Neilson needs to make on the weekend is to replace Ed Upson, who is now out for two matches due to a suspension for collating 10 yellow cards – the returning Darren Potter is expected to fill that void.
To book tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343.
Tickets for Saturday's clash with Fleetwood Town at Stadium MK are priced at £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s* and £7 under-18s while under-12s go FREE with a Young Dons membership*
