mkdons.com details the storylines to follow heading into Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash with Doncaster Rovers at Stadium MK...
Four in a row
MK Dons will be looking to secure a fourth straight Sky Bet League One success when they welcome Doncaster Rovers to Stadium MK on Saturday.
The Dons have bounced back brilliantly from their five-game winless run to triumph in each of their last three – victories over Accrington Stanley, Plymouth Argyle and, most recently, in-form Burton Albion.
Should Russell Martin’s men make it four in a row this weekend, it will be the first time a Dons side has recorded such a feat since between February and March 2019, en route to promotion from Sky Bet League Two.
The last time the Dons won four successive league matches in the third tier? The promotion-winning campaign of 2014/15.
A chance to climb
Russell Martin has insisted that MK Dons remain focused on nothing other than finishing the season well and improving their league standing as much as possible.
Well, with a win on Saturday they could climb as high as ninth place – although they would need an awful lot to go in their favour in order to do so.
Regardless of how many positions they can move up, a victory over Doncaster would see the Dons pull to within three points of their opponents, who currently lie fifth in the Sky Bet League One table.
A point – or more – would also see the Dons surpass the 52-point mark. No team has ever been relegated from the third tier on 52 points or more.
Both teams much-changed from the opener
Saturday sees a re-match of this season’s league opener at the Keepmoat Stadium, when a late Baily Cargill goal earned the Dons a point after Madger Gomes had put Doncaster ahead.
Cargill is one of six players who featured that day who are no longer at the Football Club, if you include Sam Nombe on loan at Luton Town. Furthermore, there were only four involved against Doncaster who played a minute in Saturday’s win at Burton Albion.
There has been change at Doncaster too, with Darren Moore no longer in charge and Andy Butler taking temporary control of Donny.
Their side isn’t too dissimilar, though. Thirteen members of their last squad were involved on opening day in Yorkshire.
Russ to stick or twist?
Russell Martin has kept the same starting XI for each of the last five matches but hinted in his pre-match press conference that he will soon make changes in order to give minutes to other members of his squad.
It remains to be seen whether that will start this Saturday but there are plenty of players waiting in the wings for their chance to impress.
Zak Jules, Daniel Harvie, Louis Thompson, Charlie Brown, Will Grigg and Joe Mason are among those who haven’t made a start in five games.
Jordan Houghton and Lasse Sorensen are two others who will be itching to feature before the end of the season as well as Ben Gladwin, David Kasumu and Jay Bird if they are able to recover from their respective injuries. Kieran Agard is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.
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Supporters can watch Saturday's Sky Bet League One clash with Doncaster Rovers LIVE on iFollow MK Dons.
Season Ticket holders will be able to watch the match for FREE. You will simply need to log-in to your iFollow MK Dons to view the game - click HERE for full information!
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