mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into this weekend’s clash with Sky Bet League One leaders Scunthorpe United...
EXCELLENT AWAY FORM ENOUGH TO HALT LEAGUE LEADERS?
While a lot has been made about the Dons’ results at Stadium MK this season, their away form cannot be questioned.
Karl Robinson’s men are tied for the best away record in League One – alongside, ironically, Saturday’s opponents Scunthorpe – and they will need to maintain that strong form if they are to topple the Iron, who currently sit top of the table.
United have picked up the second-highest amount of points from their home games this season, while their goal record in terms of those scored and conceded is the best in League One – it will be a tough test for the men from MK1 this weekend.
DONS STICKING TOGETHER
The message from the dressing room after Sunday was one of positivity, despite the frustrating loss to Port Vale.
The Dons are just three points adrift of the top six, even though they’ve yet to really get going at Stadium MK, and defensive duo George B Williams and Joe Walsh are both confident the team will improve consistency and climb the table sooner rather than later.
“Last season I was at Barnsley and we were bottom of the table come Christmas time and then ended up getting promoted,” Williams told MK Dons PlayerHD. “We just need to stick together, keep playing the way we are and I’m sure the results will come.”
Walsh added: “I don’t think we need to change anything because I think it will come. We just need to keep doing the same things and cut out those little mistakes that are costing us at the moment.”
CAN DONS’ STRONG AWAY DEFENCE DENY TOP SCORER MORRIS?
The Dons’ currently boast the best away defensive record in League One along with second-placed Bradford City, having conceded just five times in six matches on the road.
They will, though, be in for a difficult test this weekend when they come up against the division’s current leading scorer Josh Morris. The forward has an incredible 12 goals to his name already, while he’s had the second most amount of shots in the division.
How has the Dons’ defence coped with other top scorers in League One? Although they conceded strikes from Alex Revell and Alex Jones, they did deny the likes of Marcus Maddison, Gwion Edwards, David Ball and Chris Maguire – all six players are in the division’s top 10 for goals scored.
DOWNING SET FOR 200TH CAREER LEAGUE APPEARANCE
Paul Downing could make his 200th career league appearance this weekend.
The 24-year-old defender, who made his league debut as a teenager for Hereford United, has made the majority of his 199 league appearances for Walsall, while he’s only missed one league fixture since making the switch to Stadium MK in the summer.
League appearance breakdown: Walsall 156; Barnet 26; MK Dons 11; Hereford United 6
WILLIAMS BACK IN FOLD, TRIO REMAIN SIDELINED
George C Williams, who has missed the last two matches, is in line to return to action on Saturday after his spell away with Wales Under-21s.
Elsewhere, there don’t appear to be any fresh injury worries for the Dons, although they’ll still be without George Baldock (hamstring), Chuks Aneke (knee) and Scott Wootton (knee).
While a lot has been made about the Dons’ results at Stadium MK this season, their away form cannot be questioned.
Karl Robinson’s men are tied for the best away record in League One – alongside, ironically, Saturday’s opponents Scunthorpe – and they will need to maintain that strong form if they are to topple the Iron, who currently sit top of the table.
United have picked up the second-highest amount of points from their home games this season, while their goal record in terms of those scored and conceded is the best in League One – it will be a tough test for the men from MK1 this weekend.
DONS STICKING TOGETHER
The message from the dressing room after Sunday was one of positivity, despite the frustrating loss to Port Vale.
The Dons are just three points adrift of the top six, even though they’ve yet to really get going at Stadium MK, and defensive duo George B Williams and Joe Walsh are both confident the team will improve consistency and climb the table sooner rather than later.
“Last season I was at Barnsley and we were bottom of the table come Christmas time and then ended up getting promoted,” Williams told MK Dons PlayerHD. “We just need to stick together, keep playing the way we are and I’m sure the results will come.”
Walsh added: “I don’t think we need to change anything because I think it will come. We just need to keep doing the same things and cut out those little mistakes that are costing us at the moment.”
CAN DONS’ STRONG AWAY DEFENCE DENY TOP SCORER MORRIS?
The Dons’ currently boast the best away defensive record in League One along with second-placed Bradford City, having conceded just five times in six matches on the road.
They will, though, be in for a difficult test this weekend when they come up against the division’s current leading scorer Josh Morris. The forward has an incredible 12 goals to his name already, while he’s had the second most amount of shots in the division.
How has the Dons’ defence coped with other top scorers in League One? Although they conceded strikes from Alex Revell and Alex Jones, they did deny the likes of Marcus Maddison, Gwion Edwards, David Ball and Chris Maguire – all six players are in the division’s top 10 for goals scored.
DOWNING SET FOR 200TH CAREER LEAGUE APPEARANCE
Paul Downing could make his 200th career league appearance this weekend.
The 24-year-old defender, who made his league debut as a teenager for Hereford United, has made the majority of his 199 league appearances for Walsall, while he’s only missed one league fixture since making the switch to Stadium MK in the summer.
League appearance breakdown: Walsall 156; Barnet 26; MK Dons 11; Hereford United 6
WILLIAMS BACK IN FOLD, TRIO REMAIN SIDELINED
George C Williams, who has missed the last two matches, is in line to return to action on Saturday after his spell away with Wales Under-21s.
Elsewhere, there don’t appear to be any fresh injury worries for the Dons, although they’ll still be without George Baldock (hamstring), Chuks Aneke (knee) and Scott Wootton (knee).
