mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday's Sky Bet League Two clash with Bury at Stadium MK...
Home opener
MK Dons return to Stadium MK for their first competitive fixture in over three months and they will be looking to mark it with a positive result.
The Club boasts a decent record in home openers, having won six times in their first league matches on their own patch. However, they have yet to do so since the 2014/15 season, which was then the third successive year they had triumphed in their opening home encounter.
The match will also be Paul Tisdale’s home bow as MK Dons manager. The 45-year-old started his tenure with a 2-1 victory away at Oldham Athletic last weekend but will want to begin life at Stadium MK on an equally successful not.
There will likely be several home debuts too, as supporters get the chance to see their summer signings in action in Milton Keynes for the first time.
Back-to-back
MK Dons will be looking to make it back-to-back league wins to start the season for the first time in their history this weekend.
While they have won twice in a row at the start of a campaign, never have they been victorious in their first two league matches in a season.
As mentioned above, Tisdale’s men kicked-off the 2018/19 campaign with a 2-1 success at Oldham Athletic last weekend. Kieran Agard and Ryan Harley scored both the goals in the first-half before a determined defensive performance saw them across the line.
Battle wounds
The opening-day win at Oldham did come at a cost for Paul Tisdale, who saw both Peter Pawlett and Conor McGrandles exit the field with injuries.
The MK Dons manager should provide an update the duo’s availability for this weekend in his pre-match press conference on Thursday as well as Osman Sow, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Sam Nombe who are also sidelined.
Deadline Day
The transfer window for all 92 clubs in England slams shut this Thursday evening at 5pm, meaning teams will not be able to buy or sell after this time. The loan window, however, will remain open until the end of the month.
Could we see any late arrivals or departures at Stadium MK before the deadline? Paul Tisdale was asked if he expected there to be any activity in his post-match press conference last weekend.
I don't know [about business] to be honest,” he said. “I am happy with the [squad] the way it is.
“Every window ends with a panic and its much earlier this year too. I’m sure something will crop up we don't know about or aren't prepared for, as it always does. We have to be on our toes and take an opportunity if it presents itself.”
