Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: selby on December 30, 2023, 10:45:31 am
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Every team we play lately seems to be on very good runs of form The Dons completing their fourth victory on the trot ( I wish we could do that) by defeating Crawley 2-0 last night with an early goal by Dean after 2 minutes and Gilbey on 82 minutes.
Crawley however were were reported to have missed some good chances, and our second half battering of them when we visited them earlier in the season shows they can be got at, and had to thank keeper MacGillivray for keeping them ahead on more than one occasion against Crawley.
We should however be able to approach this game in better fettle and more confident after our hard fought point gained at Mansfield, probably our best display with the cup game at Peterborough of the season, where in both games we played as a team.
Every player stood up to be counted, off the ball we competed and put a foot in and we well deserved the odd pieces of luck we had during the game with the energy levels being top class.
Lawlor who played well, will be gutted to be injured , and it looked bad when he went off, but Jones came on and his save just after he came on was pivotal in gaining a point, and really should be if everyone is fit be the only change to the starting line up, which with at last a back four looked a better set up that suited the players we have and was reflected in the display and result.
So as said previously, the question is can we replicate the display last night? something we have been poor at putting a few results together, but something we need to do from now on if we are to stay clear of trouble, and to build for a future.
One thing we need is a stronger bench, Kuleya not one to turn to when the chips are down, like at Notts County looked like a rabbit in the head lights at times again last night.
Goodman did ok, and while Mansfield will harp on about a penalty, Gooders was clearly held down on the goal line in a scramble which was a plain penalty although difficult for the referee to see.
We still need strengthening with a couple of quality mid fielders Close had a good game but could have cost us the game when twenty yards from our goal he was brushed aside and gave the Mansfield player a clear run into the box, thankfully he tamely shot straight at Lawlor to save from about the same position Ironside put our goal away, their clearest chance, Close left to do the old soldiers trick of rubbing his leg as if caught and fouled, very poor in that position and repetitive in that area central in front of our area over the season, and gives other defenders no chance,
Having said that injuries allowing the same team for me, hopefully Faulkner joined on the bench with a couple more coming back in the next few games, we still need a win in this game to consolidate a hard fought point last night, and they will come very confident having had a good hundred per cent Christmas period, can we spoil their new year? can we move forward in the new year?
We now have an opportunity to the end of the season, hopefully a little cup run extended, keep out of trouble, give Faulkner and Flint good experience playing games and find some good loans for some other youngsters in men's football and build for the future, and hopefully put a run of results together and see where it leaves us at the end of the season.
What do you think? please have your say.
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Let's hope we can ditch the good game , bad game sequence you have highlighted many times
Because by any measure yesterday v Stags WAS a good performance
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Harsh on Close to single out one mistake others made them too, who I thought put in a good performance last
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Harsh on Close to single out one mistake others made them too, who I thought put in a good performance last
Its not so much the signalling out of a mistake as such and Close did play well last night, its more the fact that its been these odd mistakes that have cost us massively this season, this and lack of concentration at times, also if its from one of your senior players who really need to set a benchmark and be an example to the young players.
If we were able to cut out some really careless mistakes this season we would be many points better off right now.
Lots these little things that add up to a a failing overall that we need to eliminate.
If we can hit this game running on the strength of the vastly improved game at Mansfield then the boost to their confidence should be apparent. If we could eek out an extra 5% from everyone we will be able to give MK a good game. Stick to the same 433ish or diamond as GM called it but have Fall doing the dropping back into the No10 role rather than Ironside and push Moly on further. Thought they played this system well last night which enable the team to perform better then of late, much more suitable for this lot. If flint is available i'd stick him in for Biggins and push Close a bit further forward.
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They are on an unreal run. 1 loss in 10, winning 7 and drawing 2. The loss was at the start of that 10 game period, back in late October. Away form generally is pretty good this season, although they have only managed 2 clean sheets away from home.
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Worrying for me is Grants comment that Anderson would be back for next game. I hope he means on the bench
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Their last few wins have been against some of the lesser teams in the division . Crawley. FGR, Colchester, Morcambe. All valuable wins of course but I think they will come unstuck against a resurgent rovers.
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Resurgent!!!! We’ve drawn a game after some horrific defeats. Love your optimism that a draw constitutes a resurgence.
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Worrying for me is Grants comment that Anderson would be back for next game. I hope he means on the bench
The thing that concerns me most is Tom's mistakes this seasons have mostly been the same thing - failing to win headers or at least put any pressure on opposing forwards as they come in and attack the ball - he used to win the vast majority and has always been brave enough - so why is this seemingly simple thing now beyond him?
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To be blunt I nearly fell off my chair again when I saw we were 5/2 to win this match
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Worrying for me is Grants comment that Anderson would be back for next game. I hope he means on the bench
The thing that concerns me most is Tom's mistakes this seasons have mostly been the same thing - failing to win headers or at least put any pressure on opposing forwards as they come in and attack the ball - he used to win the vast majority and has always been brave enough - so why is this seemingly simple thing now beyond him?
I wonder if it’s the injuries. Even when ‘fit’ perhaps he’s impaired so much he’s sometimes a shadow of his former self.
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Resurgent!!!! We’ve drawn a game after some horrific defeats. Love your optimism that a draw constitutes a resurgence.
New year. New found faith. 4-3-3 is the magic formation that will change rovers fortunes. Starting with New Year’s Days 3 points .
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They are on an unreal run. 1 loss in 10, winning 7 and drawing 2. The loss was at the start of that 10 game period, back in late October. Away form generally is pretty good this season, although they have only managed 2 clean sheets away from home.
One statistic you failed to mention CBcb as you only seem to post negative statistics and omit the positive ones.
We have never lost to MK Dons at home.
Oh wish I hadn’t mentioned it now. :chair:
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It’s 3 wins and 5 draws at home. Since 2004/05 season which was our 1st against them.
The away game was played at the International Hockey stadium a 1-0 win to Rovers.
Pretty sure Lewis Guy scored.
Memory playing tricks as it was Mark Albrighton that scored.
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They are on an unreal run. 1 loss in 10, winning 7 and drawing 2. The loss was at the start of that 10 game period, back in late October. Away form generally is pretty good this season, although they have only managed 2 clean sheets away from home.
One statistic you failed to mention CBcb as you only seem to post negative statistics and omit the positive ones.
We have never lost to MK Dons at home.
Oh wish I hadn’t mentioned it now. :chair:
I'll give you another couple, Camps. Two seasons ago, we did the double over them, which prevented them from being promoted to the Championship.
Also, in the home win, they had the dubious distinction of conceding a goal to a certain Mr Cukur.
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Anderson should be considered behind Faulkner if Faulkner is fit as Faulkner is the better defender now.
How long are you willing to see the same mistakes by the same players before you accept they are not the player they used to be.
Unfortunately injury has taken it's toll, he is no longer the player he was, and would you put money on Olowu not making a blunder on Monday? I hope he doesn't, and he was my MOM at Mansfield, but now the hard part, repeat, repeat, repeat, and more, he has the ability but has let us and himself down so many times with out and out blunders, and been bullied by more than one striker this season.
If he plays to the standard he showed last night game after game he would full fill the promise lot's of us predicted he had in him, but has fallen short of it last and this season, and would be playing somewhere else at a higher level than us if he played a season like he did last night.
He has to realise himself that could happen and want it and reach the standard he is capable of, and cut out the regular mistakes and no more poor displays like the one at Notts County just a few days ago. We are talking of two players that were rank poor just two games ago pulled at half time and would no doubt have been ditched if Faulkner and Flint had been fit.
Let's hope it was a light bulb moment and not just a flash in the pan and he is consistent at the level he showed at Mansfield, at the moment it looks a challenge he needs to win, and only he can do anything about it.
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Really hoping Grant has seen what we have with Anderson
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If we can all see it then surely Grant must do.
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Payne in midfield is a very good player at this level. We will need to disrupt his ability to control the game.
Looks like they have a youthful attack. A passing side with lots of movement. They can bring Ellis Harrison on as well who is a very good Joe Ironside type forward but quicker. Another game not for Tom Anderson, if there is any.
Joe Tomlinson, who we nearly signed last season is in terrific form at wing back.
Their back 3 are seasoned pros at league one level. But Molyneux could get some joy against the 39 year old Dean Lewington on that side.
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Alex Gilbey is in decent form for them. Their top assist provider this season and scored last time out against Crawley.
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They are on an unreal run. 1 loss in 10, winning 7 and drawing 2. The loss was at the start of that 10 game period, back in late October. Away form generally is pretty good this season, although they have only managed 2 clean sheets away from home.
One statistic you failed to mention CBcb as you only seem to post negative statistics and omit the positive ones.
We have never lost to MK Dons at home.
Oh wish I hadn’t mentioned it now. :chair:
How can a statistic be negative? It’s just a fact isn’t it?
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Narrow win for us. I think he will go with the four at the back again. Time to put faith in Faulkner but ease him in. Use the players coming back carefully.
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This was the club that sacked Graham Alexander after a great start - top after five games - then after a bad run of only 4 draws in 9 games he was replaced on 17/10/23 by Mike Williamson, previously successful in getting Gateshead back from National League (N) to the National League proper and 6th position.
Since then, MKD immediately went on the current excellent run beginning with a 4-1 victory over Bradford which on 6/11/23 appointed Alexander to replace Hughes. 7 wins have come from 9 games with two draws. Up in Bradford, Alexander took a couple of games to get going, but soon they had chalked up 5 league wins and one Cup win out of 5 and they remain unbeaten in the league since then. (There are a lot of numbers in there and there could be slight inaccuracies, but I hope you get the drift!)
So what can you make of that? Alexander cannot be a bad manager, but is Williamson really that good? How can 2 random teams suddenly turn from bad to good? Manager 1 gets 7 wins from Day 1 and Manager 2, who could not get a win out of the 7-wins-out-of-9-team turns round the team his old lot beat 4-1. Two matches later he gets wins 5 in succession.
Perhaps it is all about attitude. Cynically you might argue that a team can get rid of a manager they don’t want by not trying, because it’s easier to sack one person than 11, but how else do you explain it? You might be tempted to even draw a parallel with Rovers’ 3 recent dreadful team performances, but it seems incredible to imagine that players, or some of them could believe that they could work such a move here. I suppose that in the case of MKD and BC it could be more subtle, like we don’t like playing your system, can you please allow us to try something which suits us better?
Once you are on a run you raise concerns amongst opponents though and it perhaps makes them feel more vulnerable.
Fundamentally then, the question is how much real substance underpins a run like MKD’s? If the answer is more psychological than substantial, then Rovers, whose potential is surely superior to the place they currently occupy, have a reasonable chance of winning.
Footnote: MW joined us on loan in March 2004 for the rest of that season, but never played in the first team.
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Faulkner
not possibly in contention to start as he has only had 45 minutes in a training match according to GM interview.
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We have the right manager, a bright, young forward thinking manager, who has shown he is capable of getting sides promoted.
We have an owner that has always backed managers when needed. Good stadium set up. We just need luck with injuries, maybe a more scientific approach to solving the problem. We need players to stand up and do their job on a regular basis. Realise they are in a profession that most of us would love to be in- enjoy it.
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Faulkner
not possibly in contention to start as he has only had 45 minutes in a training match according to GM interview.
Yes, and hardly much time in training either. Can only see him playing if GM is forced to.
I hope we're more likely to see the same defensive shape as Friday and try to build on that.
Not sure whether he'll tweak that diamond as Faal looked uncomfortable on the left side. Decisions, decisions.
Whoever starts, same approach. Front foot, don't give them time on the ball and let them make the mistakes.
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This was the club that sacked Graham Alexander after a great start - top after five games - then after a bad run of only 4 draws in 9 games he was replaced on 17/10/23 by Mike Williamson, previously successful in getting Gateshead back from National League (N) to the National League proper and 6th position.
Since then, MKD immediately went on the current excellent run beginning with a 4-1 victory over Bradford which on 6/11/23 appointed Alexander to replace Hughes. 7 wins have come from 9 games with two draws. Up in Bradford, Alexander took a couple of games to get going, but soon they had chalked up 5 league wins and one Cup win out of 5 and they remain unbeaten in the league since then. (There are a lot of numbers in there and there could be slight inaccuracies, but I hope you get the drift!)
So what can you make of that? Alexander cannot be a bad manager, but is Williamson really that good? How can 2 random teams suddenly turn from bad to good? Manager 1 gets 7 wins from Day 1 and Manager 2, who could not get a win out of the 7-wins-out-of-9-team turns round the team his old lot beat 4-1. Two matches later he gets wins 5 in succession.
Perhaps it is all about attitude. Cynically you might argue that a team can get rid of a manager they don’t want by not trying, because it’s easier to sack one person than 11, but how else do you explain it? You might be tempted to even draw a parallel with Rovers’ 3 recent dreadful team performances, but it seems incredible to imagine that players, or some of them could believe that they could work such a move here. I suppose that in the case of MKD and BC it could be more subtle, like we don’t like playing your system, can you please allow us to try something which suits us better?
Once you are on a run you raise concerns amongst opponents though and it perhaps makes them feel more vulnerable.
Fundamentally then, the question is how much real substance underpins a run like MKD’s? If the answer is more psychological than substantial, then Rovers, whose potential is surely superior to the place they currently occupy, have a reasonable chance of winning.
Footnote: MW joined us on loan in March 2004 for the rest of that season, but never played in the first team.
Think you’re trying to ask something that’s impossible to answer. Football is strange and teams go on good runs and bad runs for varying reasons.
Sometimes a new voice in the changing room gets the desired effect but sometimes it doesn’t.
Football is 50% ability and 50% confidence. Trying to be a philosopher about why a team is doing well or badly is futile. There are so many different factors and ingredients to being a successful team.
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This was the club that sacked Graham Alexander after a great start - top after five games - then after a bad run of only 4 draws in 9 games he was replaced on 17/10/23 by Mike Williamson, previously successful in getting Gateshead back from National League (N) to the National League proper and 6th position.
Since then, MKD immediately went on the current excellent run beginning with a 4-1 victory over Bradford which on 6/11/23 appointed Alexander to replace Hughes. 7 wins have come from 9 games with two draws. Up in Bradford, Alexander took a couple of games to get going, but soon they had chalked up 5 league wins and one Cup win out of 5 and they remain unbeaten in the league since then. (There are a lot of numbers in there and there could be slight inaccuracies, but I hope you get the drift!)
So what can you make of that? Alexander cannot be a bad manager, but is Williamson really that good? How can 2 random teams suddenly turn from bad to good? Manager 1 gets 7 wins from Day 1 and Manager 2, who could not get a win out of the 7-wins-out-of-9-team turns round the team his old lot beat 4-1. Two matches later he gets wins 5 in succession.
Perhaps it is all about attitude. Cynically you might argue that a team can get rid of a manager they don’t want by not trying, because it’s easier to sack one person than 11, but how else do you explain it? You might be tempted to even draw a parallel with Rovers’ 3 recent dreadful team performances, but it seems incredible to imagine that players, or some of them could believe that they could work such a move here. I suppose that in the case of MKD and BC it could be more subtle, like we don’t like playing your system, can you please allow us to try something which suits us better?
Once you are on a run you raise concerns amongst opponents though and it perhaps makes them feel more vulnerable.
Fundamentally then, the question is how much real substance underpins a run like MKD’s? If the answer is more psychological than substantial, then Rovers, whose potential is surely superior to the place they currently occupy, have a reasonable chance of winning.
Footnote: MW joined us on loan in March 2004 for the rest of that season, but never played in the first team.
Think you’re trying to ask something that’s impossible to answer. Football is strange and teams go on good runs and bad runs for varying reasons.
Sometimes a new voice in the changing room gets the desired effect but sometimes it doesn’t.
Football is 50% ability and 50% confidence. Trying to be a philosopher about why a team is doing well or badly is futile. There are so many different factors and ingredients to being a successful team.
Fascinating though, isn’t it?
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Are we allowed to sign anyone tomorrow and if so, can they go straight into the squad?
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Yes they can sign tomorrow, no they cannot play until the second of January so next weekend the first possible game for any new signings.
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Another MK Dons fact.
This was the last game we played before the first Covid lockdown in 2020 a 1-0 win at their place, Jacob Ramsey scoring the only goal.
Earlier that day it had been announced on the news that the second confirmed death in the UK from Covid had occurred in Milton Keynes.
As we passed the hospital on the way to the game there were a couple of news crews stationed outside the hospital gates. Seems a lifetime ago now.
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Another MK Dons fact.
This was the last game we played before the first Covid lockdown in 2020 a 1-0 win at their place, Jacob Ramsey scoring the only goal.
Earlier that day it had been announced on the news that the second confirmed death in the UK from Covid had occurred in Milton Keynes.
As we passed the hospital on the way to the game there were a couple of news crews stationed outside the hospital gates. Seems a lifetime ago now.
That match is firmly fixed in the memory bank. Quite the opposite for me. It seems so recent.
Hard to believe it was 46 months ago.
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This game to me is a cross roads of the season, more than a result I an looking for a repeat performance and the team to turn up and play well.
I have harped on for ages about a good performance followed by a rank poor one, in fact the game at MK Dons earlier in the season encompassed that in one game, a very poor display in the first half, and a good display in the second half.
In the second half of the season we now have to ditch that habit and put some good performances together and look to move forward with a view to be in better fettle next season and restore some confidence in the supporters that the club mean business.
It is a big test of that resolve today against a team in form and following the Mansfield game. Have another shocker like the last two home games and any better feelings the supporters had leaving the stadium at Mansfield will soon disappear.
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1:0
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2:0
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Could have been a cricket score for us in the first half - superb from us, but they look very poor.
If it was 6-0 at the break, they would still have come away thinking they have been lucky.
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3-0…wow!
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Moly could & should have had a hat trick in that first 45 minutes. Let’s hope those missed chances don’t come back to haunt us 2nd half!
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Kin marvellous. First bleeding half I've missed all season.
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There'll be a few absentees on this thread later.
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I’m wondering if we look back come season end, and the Mansfield game/ change of formation really was a “moment”.
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PLEASE CAN WE KEEP A CLEAN SHEET.
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Ft
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PLEASE CAN WE KEEP A CLEAN SHEET.
You’ve got it. Won 3-0!
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That was a really excellent result. They’ve been on a superb run but we dismantled them. Bit like how they dismantled Wimbledon, just that we didn’t steal a club. Well done Grant McCann for turning this around so quickly. Hope it continues.
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That’s how you back up a good result, from your previous game. Cost me Ironside anytime and two nil bet with it ending up three. If this is how 2024 is going to be for rovers, I will have some more, or do we jump off the ride now?
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haaaaas anybody seen in the box?!
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Absolutely superb!! Well done Grant and co for getting this team playing to their ability. Thoroughly enjoyed this performance!!
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Great Result, superb first half performance and a good containing second half.
Great energy, got stuck in took a couple of ‘Whitemanesqu’ bookings.
Owen Bailey doing a Maradona run, whatever next?
Best performance since??? Must be 3 years.
All the team take a bow.
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Superb first half, and a very controlled second for the most part. We could’ve had 4 or 5 first half easily. More of that please!
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Incredible first half where we looked dangerous throughout and should have scored more. Couldn’t keep the ball in second half but maintained the very high work rate and barely gave them a look in. Crowd looked a bit sparse, especially in south stand, but hopefully they will be flocking back if we can maintain today’s level.
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First half we were excellent, blew them away. Probably the best half of football we've played all season.
Second half, we didn't play much football, it was just a case of not doing anything stupid to let them back into the game. They had all the ball but did nothing with it.
The Notts County defeat seems to have helped us weirdly - prompted a change of system and the players have reacted positively.
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Defensively that’s one of the best performances I’ve seen for some time
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Outstanding quality football by us first half and it could have been five or six at half time.
MKD were always going to up the ante after the break but our determination not to concede was immense.
We were battling for every ball and Jones only had three or four saves to make.
Every player gave 100%.
I think I read on here a few weeks back that GM might not have the dressing room but this performance on the back of the Mansfield draw shows how far off the mark that is.
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We made a very good team look, pretty well….shite
The 11 that started were all brilliant, the clean sheet was an added bonus
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Fantastic first half, MK can count themselves lucky they did not go in 6 down. Second half to me was just as important because we contained them at a canter and they really did not get much change with our superb closing down and harrying, everything we wanted them to do they did and they did it with purpose.
The fact we did all this and kept a clean sheet in the bargain will greatly please GM and give the lads a massive boost for the rest of the season, we've just backed up a very good performance with what looks like the best half of football this season.
Only way is up, well done all.
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I hope people get off Oluwu's back now. He was terrific all game, won almost every header in our box. Having Bailey alongside him must help.
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Another good defensive display without Anderson
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A back 4 whose 1st job is to defend but get forward when you can. 4 3 3 McCanns preferred set up working well. Only downside the bench is still weak, let's get some of the injured back and/or a couple of new signings and we can only improve
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Outstanding quality football by us first half and it could have been five or six at half time.
MKD were always going to up the ante after the break but our determination not to concede was immense.
We were battling for every ball and Jones only had three or four saves to make.
Every player gave 100%.
I think I read on here a few weeks back that GM might not have the dressing room but this performance on the back of the Mansfield draw shows how far off the mark that is.
I think that when a good few of the team don’t put in 100% the situation becomes very tense. I reckon GM’s talk of the lack of “bravery” in those 3 poor performances was a very diplomatic way (possibly a concession to the backsliders) of saying that he did not think a lot of them were trying at all. The other words “not taking risks” was certainly true. The fact was that they weren’t even trying hard, let alone being even slightly brave. So my view was that there were very severe words after that third game, possibly with threats about what would happen come the window and that plus the tweak to the system was enough to shame those not pulling their weight into mending their ways.
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Well I hope it is now his preferred formation ravenrover.
I have been saying we need to go to a back 4 for some time.
I don’t think it is any co incidence that 2 of our best performances have come by playing a proper defensive formation. One that our players look comfortable playing.
How we were not 5-0 up at H/T I don’t know.
Now it’s important we win our next 2 games.
We really need a consistent run of 3 pointer games.
Onwards and upwards
Rovers are back?
Well we will see in the next few games
It’s no good winning today and losing the next 2 games which on paper are winnable.
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Their back 3 are seasoned pros at league one level. But Molyneux could get some joy against the 39 year old Dean Lewington on that side.
Called it!
Couldn’t see from where I was but he looked to lash out at Sterry in frustration?
Time to retire fella
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I hope people get off Oluwu's back now. He was terrific all game, won almost every header in our box. Having Bailey alongside him must help.
I’m a big critic of Olowu. I think he’s very poor.
Last 2 performances have been to standard for league 2. Despite a couple of horrible passes in last 20 mins or so, he was part of a clean sheet, Well done Joseph. He earns his place v Harrogate and we take it from there.He has a long way to go, please please prove me wrong big Joe, as I do actually like his spirit.
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If we can win the next 2 games, Which is a possibility if we match today's performance, that top half finish might not seem a million miles away,?
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Excellent first half where could and should have been 6-0 up, slightly disappointed we sat off them a bit in the second half, and we visibly tired towards the end, but 3 goals and a rare clean sheet, onwards and upwards
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It should be remembered that MKD were in the play off spots before the game started and that they were always likely to come back at us in the second half.
He took the best of what they could throw at us and they couldn’t score.
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Outstanding quality football by us first half and it could have been five or six at half time.
MKD were always going to up the ante after the break but our determination not to concede was immense.
We were battling for every ball and Jones only had three or four saves to make.
Every player gave 100%.
I think I read on here a few weeks back that GM might not have the dressing room but this performance on the back of the Mansfield draw shows how far off the mark that is.
I think that when a good few of the team don’t put in 100% the situation becomes very tense. I reckon GM’s talk of the lack of “bravery” in those 3 poor performances was a very diplomatic way (possibly a concession to the backsliders) of saying that he did not think a lot of them were trying at all. The other words “not taking risks” was certainly true. The fact was that they weren’t even trying hard, let alone being even slightly brave. So my view was that there were very severe words after that third game, possibly with threats about what would happen come the window and that plus the tweak to the system was enough to shame those not pulling their weight into mending their ways.
Even after a performance and result like that, you’ve done your best to look for a negative angle
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So no game for Kyle again today, he’s either out of favour, or he’s off in this window and not being played to prevent risk of injury to scupper any possible move.
Shame, I think he would be brilliant on the left side of a front 3 of GMC’s.
Time will tell for sure! Just wish the media would put the question to GMC!
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So no game for Kyle again today, he’s either out of favour, or he’s off in this window and not being played to prevent risk of injury to scupper any possible move.
Shame, I think he would be brilliant on the left side of a front 3 of GMC’s.
Time will tell for sure! Just wish the media would put the question to GMC!
Hurst? He came on on the 77th minute.
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Yes, but his minutes since coming back from injury have been practically non existant, which is a shame after the good season he had last yr..
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Last year is exactly that, this season when he has played he seems like a shadow of himself
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If we have ambitions of being higher up, we’ve pulled Mk dons three points closer to us.
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Outstanding quality football by us first half and it could have been five or six at half time.
MKD were always going to up the ante after the break but our determination not to concede was immense.
We were battling for every ball and Jones only had three or four saves to make.
Every player gave 100%.
I think I read on here a few weeks back that GM might not have the dressing room but this performance on the back of the Mansfield draw shows how far off the mark that is.
I think that when a good few of the team don’t put in 100% the situation becomes very tense. I reckon GM’s talk of the lack of “bravery” in those 3 poor performances was a very diplomatic way (possibly a concession to the backsliders) of saying that he did not think a lot of them were trying at all. The other words “not taking risks” was certainly true. The fact was that they weren’t even trying hard, let alone being even slightly brave. So my view was that there were very severe words after that third game, possibly with threats about what would happen come the window and that plus the tweak to the system was enough to shame those not pulling their weight into mending their ways.
Even after a performance and result like that, you’ve done your best to look for a negative angle
You obviously haven’t read or understood my comment.
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Another good defensive display without Anderson
That's why it was a good defensive performance
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Outstanding quality football by us first half and it could have been five or six at half time.
MKD were always going to up the ante after the break but our determination not to concede was immense.
We were battling for every ball and Jones only had three or four saves to make.
Every player gave 100%.
I think I read on here a few weeks back that GM might not have the dressing room but this performance on the back of the Mansfield draw shows how far off the mark that is.
I think that when a good few of the team don’t put in 100% the situation becomes very tense. I reckon GM’s talk of the lack of “bravery” in those 3 poor performances was a very diplomatic way (possibly a concession to the backsliders) of saying that he did not think a lot of them were trying at all. The other words “not taking risks” was certainly true. The fact was that they weren’t even trying hard, let alone being even slightly brave. So my view was that there were very severe words after that third game, possibly with threats about what would happen come the window and that plus the tweak to the system was enough to shame those not pulling their weight into mending their ways.
Even after a performance and result like that, you’ve done your best to look for a negative angle
You obviously haven’t read or understood my comment.
Quite possibly GM used the fans reaction at Notts County to hammer home what he and the fans expect.
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Just seen the highlights..... and although I admire his longevity, I thought Dean Lewington looked to have enjoyed a great Christmas....
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Just seen the highlights..... and although I admire his longevity, I thought Dean Lewington looked to have enjoyed a great Christmas....
Indeed.
He looked as though he was pulling a parachute as Moly raced away from him.
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So no game for Kyle again today, he’s either out of favour, or he’s off in this window and not being played to prevent risk of injury to scupper any possible move.
Shame, I think he would be brilliant on the left side of a front 3 of GMC’s.
Time will tell for sure! Just wish the media would put the question to GMC!
Hurst? He came on on the 77th minute.
My apologies, I’ve missed todays game through work, when i checked & seen kulaya was brought on, I assumed hirst didn’t make the pitch.
How foolish of me to do so! I’ll be in the town square for my lynching!
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A view from MK Dons forum:
“If you had wandered in the Eco-Power Stadium as a neutral and not known anything about the two sides you would have said Donny were the team were on a run of nine unbeaten, not us, we were never really in it at all.”
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And a couple of their posters agreed we should have been 5 or 6 up by half time.
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Let's not forget we are still threadbare with injuries!!!
Finishing with 3 young uns on pitch, Bobby Faulkner trained 2days and on the bench. We are still thin on the ground.
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Another small thing while we’re here - why do they still call themselves ‘Dons’? Please drop it now.
Not only is that a ludicrous insult to Wimbledon, it just seems daft keeping it. Do their fans chant ‘Come on you Dons’? Or is it meaningless for them too? I’d respect the club very slightly more if they jettisoned it. While you’re at it face up to using the actual words ‘Milton Keynes’ rather than hiding behind ‘MK’ as if it’s LA or JFK.
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An all round good day at the office, liked the use of the tactical foul, something I alluded to a couple of weeks ago, the lack of us contemplating it and how easy we were to play against, well we were not in this game.
First half tremendous football, and every player involved,second half we went for game management dipped a couple of youngsters in after a hard physical period in a few days, unfortunately Kuleya just proved how far he is off the standard required, not surprised there, and I thought we missed the chance of giving Goodman a decent run out instead of wasting it.
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Brilliant distribution from Louis for our first goal yesterday (the sky highlights cut it out). That long ball to Ironside he can hit looks a good plan B when the option to play out isn’t there.
https://youtu.be/5MMLYsVd7fo?si=3JmZxaPQtqHmUC1b
MK’s performance reminded me of last year’s Schofield team, so it served as a timely contrast.
They had 70% possession but it was tippy-tappy, without purpose and very… process-driven. The poor goalkeeper MacGillivery reminded me of Mitchell. He was not cut out for playing out from the back whatsoever, but the manager had obviously forced him to pray at the altar of The Process. Ellis Harrison was their best player when he came on too. Not sure why he was on the bench.
Louis Jones is superb with the ball at his feet. And can pass short or long. Much better goalie than Lawlor IMO, but thankfully he wasn’t tested with balls in to the box. If he can develop bravery and command of his area at 24 then we have a very good goalie. That’s the only problem, but it can be a big one at this level.
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Although Ellis Harrison looked useful when he came on I thought he was trying to play basketball must have handled the ball 4 or 5 times
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There'll be a few absentees on this thread later.
Still not appeared lol
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Even though possession wise we were not the victors, when we got the ball we were ruthless.
Quick, decisive football that caught them out.
Instead of rolling it around back and forth, there was a purpose to the moves.
The goalkeeper did well with what he had to deal with. When your strikers are putting the ball away, there isn’t as much pressure on everybody.
Ideally we need to keep this back four in, so they can work on each others strengths and weaknesses-build the understanding they need.
The players coming back, just ease them in. Sterry still needs looking after, taking into account the time on the sidelines he’s had.
Faulkner carry on easing him in from the bench.
We haven’t cracked it, it’s two good games after many bad ones. The confidence will have climbed though.
We still need additions at centre half, central midfield and with strikers out injured, we could with one of those. With Roberts seeming to be on his way back to Wolves- it hasn’t really worked out. Then another wide attacking winger/striker is also needed.
Attack games like we have the last two and we will win far more than we lose.
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SCWK it’s 2 good games following 3 poor game, we were playing well until Westbrooke was injured
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I would like to see us use this year as a new start and put an unbeaten run together. Even with injuries the squad has massively underachieved.