mkdons.com details the storylines to follow in the build-up to Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash with Peterborough United...
Rivalry resumes
Saturday will see MK Dons and Peterborough United go head-to-head for 22nd time and, just like in most of the meetings between the pair, there is plenty on offer for both sides.
The Posh are chasing a play-off position but currently find themselves four points adrift of the top six. The Dons, meanwhile, are in the bottom half of Sky Bet League One but still hold aspirations of climbing up the division and also challenging for a play-off spot.
Robbie Neilson’s side, who have a game in hand on the Cambridgeshire outfit, could close the gap on their rivals to seven points with a victory but in order to do that, they’d have to achieve something they’ve not haven’t since December 2007 – win a league fixture at the ABAX Stadium.
How Neilson and his team would love to end that run this weekend...
The 3-4-3 formation
One of the keys behind last weekend’s success over Northampton Town was arguably the 3-4-3 formation used by Neilson – a style which has rarely, if it all, been seen at Stadium MK.
While the side did concede three goals to the Cobblers, all of those came from set-pieces. What’s more, opponents Northampton didn’t really create too many scoring opportunities from open play.
The formation also allowed Neilson to feature all five of his first-team defenders, all of whom have made cases to start with their performances in recent weeks. It also saw the likes of Chuks Aneke and Kieran Agard feature in a more advanced position and both players responded with goals.
Neilson has often changed the formation to suit the opponents so there is no guarantee the side will line up the same this weekend. However, could the Scotsman be tempted to stick with the style that produced such an exciting and positive display?
More from Muirhead and Barnes?
One of the many highlights from last Saturday’s win was the impressive cameos from recent signings Robbie Muirhead and Harvey Barnes, the latter of whom scored just three minutes after his arrival.
Fans will no doubt be eager to see more from the pair moving forward but Neilson did stress the importance of taking it slow with his two new players.
Could either of them be in line for a first start on Saturday?
More to come in?
There is just under a week to go until the close of the January transfer window and from recent interviews with Neilson and chairman Pete Winkelman, it’s safe to say the Dons are confident of doing more business before that deadline.
With a midfielder and a forward having already arrived, Neilson may look to recruit a defence-minded player next or look to bolster his attacking options further.
The 36-year-old will speak to the media on Thursday, where he’s sure to provide an update as well as address some of the above storylines. The full press conference will later be available to view on MK Dons PlayerHD, while some of the key points will be uploaded onto YouTube.
Saturday will see MK Dons and Peterborough United go head-to-head for 22nd time and, just like in most of the meetings between the pair, there is plenty on offer for both sides.
The Posh are chasing a play-off position but currently find themselves four points adrift of the top six. The Dons, meanwhile, are in the bottom half of Sky Bet League One but still hold aspirations of climbing up the division and also challenging for a play-off spot.
Robbie Neilson’s side, who have a game in hand on the Cambridgeshire outfit, could close the gap on their rivals to seven points with a victory but in order to do that, they’d have to achieve something they’ve not haven’t since December 2007 – win a league fixture at the ABAX Stadium.
How Neilson and his team would love to end that run this weekend...
The 3-4-3 formation
One of the keys behind last weekend’s success over Northampton Town was arguably the 3-4-3 formation used by Neilson – a style which has rarely, if it all, been seen at Stadium MK.
While the side did concede three goals to the Cobblers, all of those came from set-pieces. What’s more, opponents Northampton didn’t really create too many scoring opportunities from open play.
The formation also allowed Neilson to feature all five of his first-team defenders, all of whom have made cases to start with their performances in recent weeks. It also saw the likes of Chuks Aneke and Kieran Agard feature in a more advanced position and both players responded with goals.
Neilson has often changed the formation to suit the opponents so there is no guarantee the side will line up the same this weekend. However, could the Scotsman be tempted to stick with the style that produced such an exciting and positive display?
More from Muirhead and Barnes?
One of the many highlights from last Saturday’s win was the impressive cameos from recent signings Robbie Muirhead and Harvey Barnes, the latter of whom scored just three minutes after his arrival.
Fans will no doubt be eager to see more from the pair moving forward but Neilson did stress the importance of taking it slow with his two new players.
Could either of them be in line for a first start on Saturday?
More to come in?
There is just under a week to go until the close of the January transfer window and from recent interviews with Neilson and chairman Pete Winkelman, it’s safe to say the Dons are confident of doing more business before that deadline.
With a midfielder and a forward having already arrived, Neilson may look to recruit a defence-minded player next or look to bolster his attacking options further.
The 36-year-old will speak to the media on Thursday, where he’s sure to provide an update as well as address some of the above storylines. The full press conference will later be available to view on MK Dons PlayerHD, while some of the key points will be uploaded onto YouTube.
