mkdons.com looks at some of the storylines to follow heading into Tuesday’s clash with Bristol Rovers at Stadium MK...
CHANGING THE NARRATIVE
It’s often been the case this season where the Dons have played well for the majority of games but come away either empty-handed. If they want to climb back up the Sky Bet League One table then they’ll need that trend to change.
Many have had their say as to what the reasons could be for the frustrating results but skipper Dean Lewington insists it’s time to do the talking on the field.
“It’s the same old story where we come away thinking we’re the better team having created a lot of chances but having lost the game,” Lewington told MK Dons PlayerHD after Saturday’s defeat at Scunthorpe United.
“It’s not a case anymore of saying it will change, we need to go out and do it on the pitch. We have to be aggressive and put the sword to teams. We have to take our chances and be more ruthless.”
GETTING ON THE BOARD AT HOME
A lot has been made about the home form this season and the Dons have two opportunities this week to record that elusive first Stadium MK success, starting with Tuesday’s clash against Bristol Rovers.
In order to find that eagerly-anticipated victory, the men from MK1 must find a way to start better – Robinson’s side have scored only two first-half goals at Stadium MK this campaign, while they have conceded before the break in all-but one of their six home league matches.
The Dons have led at half-time three times this season and have gone on to claim victory in two of those matches. In fact, there have only been six occasions in the past four years where the men from MK1 have lost from a winning position at home in the league, which shows the importance of a strong start for this team.
DENYING RAMPANT ROVERS
Tuesday’s visitors are one of the most in-from sides in the division over their last six matches, having won four, drawn one and lost one.
They’ve scored 10 goals in that stretch, the majority of which have come away from home while they’ve conceded seven times.
Can the Dons stop them in their tracks? Boss Robinson thinks it will be tough.
“They are a team full of momentum and have made a strong start to their first season back in League One – we know it will be a tough encounter for us.”
They do, though, have a good record against the Pirates - the Dons have won every home meeting with the Bristol outfit.
DONS WITHOUT DUO, UPSON RETURNS
The Dons will be without Darren Potter and Joe Walsh for Tuesday’s clash, after both players collected their fifth bookings of the season at Glanford Park.
Potter’s place is set to be taken by Ed Upson, who is back after serving a one-match suspension for totalling five yellow cards as well, while Walsh’s absence could open a door for loanee Jack Hendry to make his league debut for the Dons.
In terms of injuries, Ryan Colclough could be in line to play a bigger part after recovering from a recent illness but George Baldock (hamstring) remains sidelined along with long-term absentees Chuks Aneke (knee) and Scott Wootton (knee).
It’s often been the case this season where the Dons have played well for the majority of games but come away either empty-handed. If they want to climb back up the Sky Bet League One table then they’ll need that trend to change.
Many have had their say as to what the reasons could be for the frustrating results but skipper Dean Lewington insists it’s time to do the talking on the field.
“It’s the same old story where we come away thinking we’re the better team having created a lot of chances but having lost the game,” Lewington told MK Dons PlayerHD after Saturday’s defeat at Scunthorpe United.
“It’s not a case anymore of saying it will change, we need to go out and do it on the pitch. We have to be aggressive and put the sword to teams. We have to take our chances and be more ruthless.”
GETTING ON THE BOARD AT HOME
A lot has been made about the home form this season and the Dons have two opportunities this week to record that elusive first Stadium MK success, starting with Tuesday’s clash against Bristol Rovers.
In order to find that eagerly-anticipated victory, the men from MK1 must find a way to start better – Robinson’s side have scored only two first-half goals at Stadium MK this campaign, while they have conceded before the break in all-but one of their six home league matches.
The Dons have led at half-time three times this season and have gone on to claim victory in two of those matches. In fact, there have only been six occasions in the past four years where the men from MK1 have lost from a winning position at home in the league, which shows the importance of a strong start for this team.
DENYING RAMPANT ROVERS
Tuesday’s visitors are one of the most in-from sides in the division over their last six matches, having won four, drawn one and lost one.
They’ve scored 10 goals in that stretch, the majority of which have come away from home while they’ve conceded seven times.
Can the Dons stop them in their tracks? Boss Robinson thinks it will be tough.
“They are a team full of momentum and have made a strong start to their first season back in League One – we know it will be a tough encounter for us.”
They do, though, have a good record against the Pirates - the Dons have won every home meeting with the Bristol outfit.
DONS WITHOUT DUO, UPSON RETURNS
The Dons will be without Darren Potter and Joe Walsh for Tuesday’s clash, after both players collected their fifth bookings of the season at Glanford Park.
Potter’s place is set to be taken by Ed Upson, who is back after serving a one-match suspension for totalling five yellow cards as well, while Walsh’s absence could open a door for loanee Jack Hendry to make his league debut for the Dons.
In terms of injuries, Ryan Colclough could be in line to play a bigger part after recovering from a recent illness but George Baldock (hamstring) remains sidelined along with long-term absentees Chuks Aneke (knee) and Scott Wootton (knee).
