Despite the gulf in league position, the bookies only have us as narrow 6/4 favourites to beat an MK Dons side who are on course for less than half the points they achieved last season. The Dons fall from the side who were pipped to the post by Rotherham on the final day of last season, has been quite remarkable. The failure to successfully replace Liam Manning and Scott Twine is probably the main contributors to their sudden demise, and relegation does seem quite a real possibility. At home, MK Dons have been particularly poor. Only Forest Green have a worse home record. In fact, MK Dons have won just 4 home games all season. The highest ranked team they have beaten at home is 18th placed Port Vale. Their record at home against teams in the top half reads, played 11, won 0, drawn 2, lost 9, and have lost at home to each of the current top 7 in the league, with just us left to play. Despite a mini revival through March, they are now 6 games without a win, including back to back defeats against Fleetwood and Charlton. Our record at stadium MK is 1 win, 2 draws and a defeat. The solitary victory was the FA Cup tie under Dave Flitcroft, and came courtesy of a Chris Dagnall brace, and a Marlon Harewood strike. We've never won at stadium MK in the league, albeit we've only ever been in the same division as them 4 times. Our last visit their saw Dele Alli and Will Grigg both find the net within 4 minutes of each other, en route to MK Dons winning promotion that year. Referee Anthony Backhouse has averaged 3.4 yellow cards in 33 games this season, which I'd say is a below average amount. He's also only issued one red card this season, which was to Portsmouth's Joe Morrell in his sides victory over Fleetwood. Ironically, Morrell is currently serving another suspension for a red card vs MK Dons just a few weeks ago. Mr Backhouse hasn't had the pleasure of refereeing the reds this season, but was in charge of MK Dons defeat to Wednesday, and victory away at Forest Green Rovers. Our record with Mr Backhouse in charge is played 3, won 3. MK Dons record is won 2, drawn 1, lost 4. Whilst I think we may rest a couple of players, I don't think we'll make wholesale changes, or take our foot off the gas. MK Dons are fighting for their lives, however I do feel this is a game where we should have more than enough to get the points. For me, they were one of the worst sides we've faced at Oakwell this season, and I can't see past an away win. I'm going for 0-2 with Cole getting a brace.
Are we though? 2 defeats in 10 away. A draw at a Lincoln side who are difficult to beat at home and have a good record against the top 6. A bit of bad luck at a Burton team who themselves have only lost twice at home this year. The Exeter performance was poor, and by all accounts the Bristol Rovers one wasn't great. But generally speaking, against the poorer sides in the league, we've done more than enough.
If we rest key players and aren't giving it our all then I see a narrow defeat, especially as MK will be giving it everything. If we pick a strong side and play with our usual intensity then we'll win.
I think they will win. They’re fighting for their lives, and I’m expecting us to rest some players from the starting xi
I don't hold with this 'fighting for their lives' thing. We're just as likely to come unstuck against a team that are 'already on the beach' - that other cliché. Comfortable win this one, leaving us all anguishing over what might have been. 0-3
Duff has said that there won't be anyone playing tomorrow that hasn't featured recently, so the likes of Jalo, Shaw etc.. won't be parachuted into the first team. But wouldn't be surprised to see Russell or even Cundy starting. Not so much to rest players, but they'll need to be ready for the play offs, if needed. For example, Connell is unlikely to play all 180 minutes of the play off semi final, seeing has he seems to be taken off after getting a yellow. So Russell needs some game time to be ready to come in if needed. I'll go for a 2-1 win. We go 2 up, make a raft of changes, become a bit disjointed and they pull one back for a nervy finish. Tedic and Bobby Thomas to score.
I don’t. At least not Watters. No issue with Tedic starting with Cole or Norwood Think we will bounce back with a 3-0 win
Yeah, I've seen little of Watters to say he warrants a start. Tedic slightly moreso, but for me Norwood and Cole are still our best striking options. I'd like to see Shaw get a bit of game time though, considering the length of his contract.
Strangely I’ve not got a gut feeling for this one, probably because this is our first ‘no pressure’ game for a long time. 2-1 us using the logic that we are simply a better team so should win
