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MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:38 am
by Frosty
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ImageMK Dons v Ipswich TownImage


Tuesday 17th September 2019 – 19:45

Stadium mk




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Pre-Match Thoughts - Mike



A Difficult Day But Still Unbeaten


Saturday's visit of Doncaster Rovers proved to be every bit as difficult as some suggested it would be, coming out of the game with a point was a bit of a result as in my opinion we were second best for much of the game and the point was more than we deserved, but they say it is the sign of a good team to pick up points & results when not at your best and this was certainly the case. I mentioned in a earlier preview how we now had partnerships forming all over the pitch but they just didn't seem to function so well this time, Downes & Skuse have been very effective this campaign but Flynn was due an off game and I think this was it, as I said he did some good stuff but his usual level was not there, especially with his passing etc, Jackson & Norwood too found the going tough, feeding off scraps and often too far apart to link up to any great effect, Danny Rowe who had played on the Right in earlier games was proving to be a very good outlet for the team and cover for the RB, just imagine how good Rowe and Vincent-Young could be when they link up but again Rowe was unwell, Chambers & Woolfenden was the one partnership which I felt by and large stood firm.

I definitely think we need to be looking at our wide options, for me Rowe & Georgiou have looked far more effective than Edwards & Judge, the latter in particular disappointing every week so far and clearly not at ease playing wide. The question is will Paul Lambert be prepared to tinker with the formation etc, it's funny how everyone bemoaned the one up front scenario and after One iffy performance now seem to be questioning the 4-4-2 !!! But I guess that is how fans are. The pleasing thing is the strength of the squad now, when you have a situation where Huws, Dobra, Garbutt, Nolan, Dozzell, Lankester, Nsiala, Bishop, Rowe, Keane, Georgiou & El Mizouni are not in the starting line up or even close to the match day squad that surely has to be a good thing, suddenly with players back fit we can almost field two decent starting Eleven's so players will need to be on song or risk dropping out of the starting Eleven.

I think Doncaster were the best we have played so far in terms of footballing ability, their passing was very good and they look to be a good striker away from a very good team at this level, for me they will without question be top Six minimum and in Darren Moore have a great manager for league One and what a Gentleman and a top bloke he is, he deserves success for the way he was so poorly treated at West Brom and I would not begrudge them going up alongside our good selves.


James Norwood


There has been One or Two discussions on this forum alone as to how well Norwood has started the season, clearly his Five goals already would suggest he's started life in League One well, what some would question is the number of chances that have gone begging and that he should be on maybe Eight or Nine goals already, I did think a week or two back that was being harsh on the lad and while I am still of the opinion he is doing just fine it has to be said another couple of One on one situations came and went Saturday which on many other days should probably have been converted. Let's be clear though he makes situations out of nothing at times and if he wasn't getting into the positions in the first place I would be more concerned than him missing some chances, all good strikers miss chances but I feel he needs to bang in a couple of these One on ones in the games coming should they fall his way to dispel any lingering question marks about how clinical he is, what cannot be questioned is his desire, work rate, enthusiasm and total commitment to the team, it's second to none which is why the likes have Jackson have seen their games improve this season too. So a Hat-trick Tuesday evening please James.


The Army Marches On


Next up is a trip to Milton Keynes Dons on Tuesday evening and to be taking 3000 fans for a Midweek game in League One really does say something about the support these days and how much most are buying in to what we are trying to do and where we are right now, 99% have dropped the moaning and misery and are getting behind the team which really does help and thankfully most who I come into contact with are there to support the lads no matter what and so far we have not been let down and while there is still much more room for improvement to be unbeaten after Seven league games is better than a few thought !! We will always have the odd Pinky & Perky" double act that like to bemoan everything ITFC but thankfully they are being drowned out by the real support and generally their negativity goes unnoticed.

Milton Keynes Dons are a hard team to assess, a notable home win against Lincoln City back in August took my eye and only Saturday just gone a Three Nil win at Blackpool looks pretty decent too as Blackpool had started the season well, they are a club who very much puts the emphasis on bringing youth through and I cant profess to know too much about most of their squad, Russel Martin, Conor McGrandles and Kieran Agard are names known to me but other than that it's a case of being in the dark. They currently sit in Tenth place just a point off the top Six at this early stage, so far they either win or lose as no game involving them has ended all square (could be an omen), and while scoring goals is not a problem they do like to concede too so this could well be an entertaining affair. I would have taken a draw here had we got the three points Saturday so its now a case of role reversal, as we drew at home I think we need to be looking to bring home all Three points to keep ourselves in that top Two at the very least, I think Town could just nick this one by the odd goal, looking forward to my second visit to stadium MK and the atmosphere with 3000 of us going should be fab. COYB'S.




The Opposition – MK Dons



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Milton Keynes was established as a new town in 1967 and it was occasionally suggested that a Football League club might relocate there. Charlton Athletic briefly mooted re-basing in "a progressive Midlands borough" during a planning dispute with their local council in 1973, and the relocation of nearby Luton Town to Milton Keynes was repeatedly suggested from the 1980s onwards. Another team linked with the new town was Wimbledon Football Club.

Wimbledon, established in south London in 1889 and nicknamed "the Dons", were elected to the Football League in 1977. They thereafter went through a "fairytale" rise from obscurity and by the end of the 1980s were established in the top division of English football.

Despite Wimbledon's new prominence, the club's modest home stadium at Plough Lane remained largely unchanged from its non-league days. The club's then owner Ron Noades identified this as a problem as early as 1979, extending his dissatisfaction to the ground's very location. Interested in the stadium site designated by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, Noades briefly planned to move Wimbledon there by merging with a non-league club in Milton Keynes, and to this end purchased debt-ridden Milton Keynes City. However, he then decided that the club would not get higher crowds in Milton Keynes and abandoned the idea.

In 1991, after the Taylor Report was published recommending the redevelopment of English football grounds, Wimbledon left Plough Lane to groundshare at Crystal Palace's ground, Selhurst Park. Sam Hammam, who now owned Wimbledon, said the club could not afford to redevelop Plough Lane and that the groundshare was a temporary arrangement while a new ground was sourced in South-West London. A new stadium for Wimbledon proved hard to arrange. Frustrated by what he perceived as a lack of support from Merton Council, Hammam began to look further afield and by 1996 was pursuing a move to Dublin, an idea that most Wimbledon fans strongly opposed. Hammam sold the club to two Norwegian businessmen, Kjell Inge Røkke and Bjørn Rune Gjelsten, in 1997, and a year later sold Plough Lane to Safeway supermarkets. Wimbledon were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 1999–2000 season.

Starting in 2000, a consortium led by music promoter Pete Winkelman proposed a large retail development in Milton Keynes including a Football League-standard stadium. The consortium proposed that an established League club move to use this site; it approached Luton, Wimbledon, Crystal Palace, Barnet and Queens Park Rangers. In 2001, Røkke and Gjelsten appointed a new chairman, Charles Koppel, who was in favour of this idea, saying it was necessary to stop the club going out of business. To the fury of most Wimbledon fans, Koppel announced on 2 August 2001 that the club intended to relocate to Milton Keynes. After the Football League refused permission, Wimbledon launched an appeal, leading to a Football Association arbitration hearing and subsequently the appointment of a three-man independent commission to make a final and binding verdict. The League and FA stated opposition but the commissioners ruled in favour, two to one, on 28 May 2002.

Having campaigned against the move, a group of disaffected Wimbledon fans reacted to this in June 2002 by forming their own non-League club, AFC Wimbledon, to which most of the original team's support defected. The original Wimbledon intended to move to Milton Keynes immediately but were unable to do so until a temporary home in the town meeting Football League criteria could be found. The club remained at Selhurst Park in the meantime and in June 2003 went into administration. With the move threatened and the club facing liquidation, Winkelman decided to buy it himself. He secured funding for the administrators to keep the team operating with the goal of getting it to Milton Keynes as soon as possible. The club arranged the temporary use of the National Hockey Stadium in Milton Keynes and played its first match there in September 2003.

Nine months later, Winkelman's Inter MK Group bought the club out of administration and announced changes to its name, badge and colours—the team was renamed Milton Keynes Dons Football Club.

The first season for the club as MK Dons was the 2004–05 season and they managed to stay in League One on the final day of the season. The following season, MK Dons struggled all year, and were relegated to League Two.

The following season (2006–07) was more successful under new Manager Martin Allen. MK Dons looked more consistent than they had done in either of the previous two seasons. They eventually qualified for the play-offs, being knocked out at the semi-final stage.

For the 2007–08 season, former England captain Paul Ince took over as manager. MK Dons won the Football League Trophy, and capped the trophy win with the League Two championship, and the subsequent promotion to League One for the 2008–09 season.

In the 2008–09 season, MK Dons under Robert Di Matteo missed out on an automatic promotion spot by two points, finishing third. They were knocked out of the play-offs by Scunthorpe United.

On 10 May 2010, Karl Robinson was appointed as the club's new manager and, at 29 years of age, Robinson was then the youngest manager in the Football League. In his first season at the club, MK Dons finished 5th in 2010–11 Football League One but were beaten in the play-off semi-finals again.

The 2011–12 season brought similar results to the previous season, with the Dons finishing 5th in 2011–12 Football League One and again not progressing past the play-off semi-finals.

MK Dons experienced their best ever FA Cup campaign in the 2012–13 season, reaching the fifth round of the competition for the first time ever in their footballing history.

Following a disappointing end to the 2013-14 Football League One season (finishing 10th, after being in the top five for much of the season), Karl Robinson made some shrewd summer signings to take the football club forward in 2014–15.

The 2014–15 season began well. The highlight event of the season's first month was being drawn against Manchester United in the League Cup second round, having dispatched AFC Wimbledon in the first. The Dons recorded a shock 4–0 victory over Manchester United in front of a sell out crowd at stadium:mk. A few weeks later, the Dons recorded their record win, a 6–0 thrashing of Colchester United at home. That record did not last long as it was broken once again with a 7–0 demolition of Oldham Athletic on 20 December 2014. Just over a month later, on 31 January 2015, the Dons recorded a joint record 5–0 away win against Crewe Alexandra, earning a short-lived top spot. On 3 May the club secured promotion to the Football League Championship for the first time on the final day of the season.

The Dons started life in the Championship by beating Rotherham United away 4–1 on the opening day of the season and gaining seven points from a possible 12 in their first four games. They were not able to sustain this form throughout the season - the Dons did not win any of their final 11 games and they returned to League One after finishing 23rd in the Championship.

On 23 October 2016, Karl Robinson left the club by mutual consent, following a 3–0 home to defeat to Southend United the previous day, which had extended the Dons' winless run to four games and left them 19th in the League One table.

Robbie Neilson joined MK Dons as manager from Heart of Midlothian in his native Scotland, with his first official game in charge coincidentally an FA Cup tie against Karl Robinson's new club Charlton Athletic. Neilson's reign started off well, with his second game in charge a win over AFC Wimbledon, and in late January 2017 a local derby win against Northampton Town.

The following season started badly and Neilson left by mutual consent on 20 January 2018 after a run of one win in eleven league games with the club 21st in the table.

Under Neilson's successor Dan Micciche, the club continued to struggle in the relegation places. Following a run of poor results with only three wins in sixteen matches in charge, Micciche left the club on 22 April 2018, with assistant manager Keith Millen taking over as a caretaker. On the penultimate weekend of the season another defeat mathematically relegated them to League Two (leaving them seven points from safety with one game to play). Former Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale was appointed in June 2018 after 12 years at his previous club.

After a season where the Dons were tipped to be favourites for promotion, the club spent most of the season around the automatic promotion and play-off places. MK Dons won their final game of the season in front of nearly 21,000 fans meaning they returned to League One at the first attempt.




The Manager – Paul Tisdale



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Form Guide




MK Dons Last 5 Matches – Currently in 10th place with 12 points



20 Aug Milton Keynes 2 - 1 Lincoln


24 Aug Milton Keynes 0 - 4 Milton Keynes 0 - 4 Peterborough


31 Aug Accrington 2 - 1 Milton Keynes


7 Sep Milton Keynes 2 - 1 Wimbledon


14 Sep Blackpool 0 - 3 Milton Keynes






Ipswich Last 5 Matches – Currently in 2nd place with 15 points



17 Aug Peterborough 2 - 2 Ipswich Town


20 Aug Ipswich Town 2 - 1 Wimbledon


24 Aug Bolton 0 - 5 Ipswich Town


31 Aug Ipswich Town 3 - 0 Shrewsbury


14 Sep Ipswich Town 0 - 0 Doncaster





Match referee – Lee Swabey




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MK DONS 0 IPSWICH TOWN 1

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:46 am
by Andym
Have to agree on the Norwood comments. Maybe the first chance on Saturday might have gone better but the second one he did everything right, a great first touch while moving at speed and a powerful shot well saved.

Let's hope we get our passing sorted and create some better chances for him.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 9:47 am
by Shed on tour
Think the next 2 games are big in terms of the confidence factor.
MK Dons have won their last 2 and no doubt will be on a bit of a high. I see they haven't drawn a game in the league yet this season and I think that might be what we end up with tomorrow night. Then on to Gillingham and for me if we are really hoping to finish in the top 6 then we have to win at places like this.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:53 am
by derick_ipsw
Andym wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:46 am
Have to agree on the Norwood comments. Maybe the first chance on Saturday might have gone better but the second one he did everything right, a great first touch while moving at speed and a powerful shot well saved.

Let's hope we get our passing sorted and create some better chances for him.
He should of put it low down, it was a easy height for the keeper to make a save.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:58 am
by marko69
I’m 100% on board with supporting the team. But surely there MUST be at least SOME grey area where a paying supporter can be, “ok, things ain’t right.”
Not speaking about ITFC as such but the current situation at Easter Road. Huge arguments regarding “support the lads, support the lads”..., (which the majority do) but that same majority also think, “ok, things ain’t right.”
And those defending Heckingbottom are not only green tinted individuals, but they’re f**king idiots.

But all that aside....... ITFC, with 17.5K inside Portman Road, and 3K travelling to places like MK DONS; that’s got to be the only extra mile of fight & spirit they need to win most games in this league. Otherwise, what is the reason they don’t win at Portman Road v Doncaster Rovers? It surely can’t be because most teams are on a par with ITFC in this league? Had 15/16/17 years of “Championship ; toughest league in England.”
SURELY (cue Airplane quote) it can’t be “League One, toughest league in England.”
I know it’s Unbeaten, sitting 2nd, game in hand, potentially top, and it’s fantastic, really is....., but THIS FAN, expects Ipswich Town FC to be humping teams like Doncaster at Portman Road with the backing of 17K fans who, as far as I’m led to believe, are MOSTLY on board with PL and what’s he’s doing.

So to sum up......., great 👏👏👏👏, but pull your fingers out!!

FK the seaside Blackpool result.,,.., MK 0 ITFC 3....., get it done, Lambo

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:59 am
by Tangfastic
Looking back at the highlights, I thought the second chance was the easier and he should have gone low. However, they weren’t really one on ones (like the Bolton game). First one he had a defender in front and did well to get a few yards ahead to get the shot in and the second he took the brilliantly on his chest at pace and maybe should have done better. I think when he collected the ball with both he had a lot to do. TBH... both the strikers weren’t given much to work with throughout the game.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:07 pm
by Bluemike
Not sure I agree that we should be "humping teams like Doncaster" Marko, they can play, as can Peterborough, we have no divine right to hump them but twice when not at our best we stopped them winning, that for me is a plus, we won't play well every werk as Lambo keeps reminding us but its still on track nicely atm.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:13 pm
by marko69
It’s not really about the opposition if I’m honest, it’s Portman Road. Definitely aware that there are some decent teams and it could be a struggle away at times, (was joking with the 0-3 v MK DONS) ...... but the urgency needs to be notched up a few at PR....... (and maybe it is, I’m not there)..... but come on, pre-season goal of 69 points from Portman Road games this season wasn’t unreasonable was it?!!!

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:31 pm
by Andym
derick_ipsw wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:53 am
Andym wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:46 am
Have to agree on the Norwood comments. Maybe the first chance on Saturday might have gone better but the second one he did everything right, a great first touch while moving at speed and a powerful shot well saved.

Let's hope we get our passing sorted and create some better chances for him.
He should of put it low down, it was a easy height for the keeper to make a save.
Yes he should. But I've not seen the highlights, only saw it live where I felt under a bit if pressure at speed he got a powerful shot on target. I won't fault him for that. I guess what I'm saying is it wasn't an easy chance.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:37 pm
by Andym
marko69 wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 12:13 pm
It’s not really about the opposition if I’m honest, it’s Portman Road. Definitely aware that there are some decent teams and it could be a struggle away at times, (was joking with the 0-3 v MK DONS) ...... but the urgency needs to be notched up a few at PR....... (and maybe it is, I’m not there)..... but come on, pre-season goal of 69 points from Portman Road games this season wasn’t unreasonable was it?!!!
It is a bit unreasonable now we only have 22 home games....😂😂😂
The significant thing about Saturday to me wasn't that we failed to win, it's that we were second best for most of the game. Its early days but we have had a real mixture of good and mediocre performances already. Predicting the result of any Town game is very difficult because of the variation in performance.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:10 pm
by Bluemike
What you can predict on the first seven is we won't lose, that in itself will get you up

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 3:52 pm
by goldandblack
Happy Memories, 10k to MK. 9k plus 2k in away sections, and we won.
I remember them giving us only 8k plus, we could purchase 20 odd tickets for disabled fans and carers, 15 wheelchairs went missing from the Wolvo Hospital , :lol: :lol: :lol:

have a great time those going and 3 more points, COYB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_c8vDLPLrs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J81ETXRtTwA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icva6KTbj-Q

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:35 pm
by marko69
That’s why I wrote “pre-season goal” Andy. 🤦‍♂️ God, I wish folk would read posts.

But you’re also kind of making my point also..... if ITFC can’t win @ Portman Road, with 17K fans backing them...... then maybe the negativity isn’t a feckin issue? The team are sometimes mediocre regardless. That’s the point being made. Unsavoury results was partly being blamed on fans until recently. Well it sounds like the fans are realising this, getting on board, but that particular advantage at Portman Road doesn’t seem to be being grabbed by the players, (if they are indeed any good)

Not suggesting they’re world beaters and I’ve already said that it’s a fantastic start, (and could be better)
For me, (presumably only me and maybe Mach) it’s a bit of a shocking result at Portman Road. Really hoping Portman Road can be turned into THREE POINTS Road fairly rapidly.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:50 pm
by Andym
marko69 wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:35 pm
That’s why I wrote “pre-season goal” Andy. 🤦‍♂️ God, I wish folk would read posts.

But you’re also kind of making my point also..... if ITFC can’t win @ Portman Road, with 17K fans backing them...... then maybe the negativity isn’t a feckin issue? The team are sometimes mediocre regardless. That’s the point being made. Unsavoury results was partly being blamed on fans until recently. Well it sounds like the fans are realising this, getting on board, but that particular advantage at Portman Road doesn’t seem to be being grabbed by the players, (if they are indeed any good)

Not suggesting they’re world beaters and I’ve already said that it’s a fantastic start, (and could be better)
For me, (presumably only me and maybe Mach) it’s a bit of a shocking result at Portman Road. Really hoping Portman Road can be turned into THREE POINTS Road fairly rapidly.
That's why I said "unreasonable now"....to show that the situation haso changed.

I think some of us accept we are where we belong. And some teams will - some consistently, some just on the day - will be better than us. If I was expecting promotion I'd be disappointed that we get outplayed. It's good that we've managed a point apiece from Peterborough and Doncaster, both of whom are likely (in my opinion) to be stronger promotion challengers than us.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:57 pm
by MasseyFerguson
I think this one will be another draw and I'd be happy to take that now.

There are always going to be ups and downs in performances but it is heartening that when we are outplayed we are still managing to get something from the game. That is a huge change from last season.

I'm more confident now that we will be in and around the playoffs at the end of the season.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 5:46 pm
by Bluemike
marko69 wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:35 pm
That’s why I wrote “pre-season goal” Andy. 🤦‍♂️ God, I wish folk would read posts.

But you’re also kind of making my point also..... if ITFC can’t win @ Portman Road, with 17K fans backing them...... then maybe the negativity isn’t a feckin issue? The team are sometimes mediocre regardless. That’s the point being made. Unsavoury results was partly being blamed on fans until recently. Well it sounds like the fans are realising this, getting on board, but that particular advantage at Portman Road doesn’t seem to be being grabbed by the players, (if they are indeed any good)

Not suggesting they’re world beaters and I’ve already said that it’s a fantastic start, (and could be better)
For me, (presumably only me and maybe Mach) it’s a bit of a shocking result at Portman Road. Really hoping Portman Road can be turned into THREE POINTS Road fairly rapidly.
Ok, tell me Marko, are you winding up here or serious? I cant tell

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:25 pm
by marko69
Definitely not on the wind up, (Don't think Im allowed to do that kind of thing since being made Mod, always tempting though!!) .... but resigned to the fact that the point being made would be easily met sitting in the pub. But to get a point across on a forum can be extremely difficult and I am failing drastically here. You type and have to wonder if you're covering all bases.

I do believe that Ipswich have had a tremendous start to the season. Better than anticipated and that can be parked, out the way, no more discussion.

How do you word this......., if the fans are of utmost importance to the performance levels of the club AT HOME, and indeed the fans HAVE been behind the club, then some future results may solely be on the players, regardless if there are a smattering of negativity around the ground. I believe, (but please, it IS only my opinion) more results like saturday and the large percentage of positivity at Portman Road may dwindle and it'd be expected.

And I fully 100% accept where the club are. But at this moment in time, I personally do not want to accept that it'll be for a very long time. Being cautious and having a cautious mindset is good (not for me) but for some people......, and "Tough league", "Doncaster won't be easy" etc etc etc isn't the talk that anyone needs to hear. I don't even like Lambert saying "we'll lose a few"......, YES, OF course you'll lose a few......, if you didn't, you'd be breaking records....., but don't f**king say it out loud. Keep that sh*t in your head.

I don't know. Probably talking shyte. "Motivational Speaking" works wonders for people with the right mindset. I'm hoping none of those players were told, "Doncaster won't be easy" around 2:45pm on saturday. That is nonsense talk. Bit of motivation PLUS the larger percentage of positivity around the ground......, shouldn't be resulting in that incredibly shyte result at Portman Road the other day.

Above is all opinion based....., no insults have been hurled......., but i'll put my hands over my ballsac anyway!

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:45 pm
by Bluemike
I do get what you are trying to say, I guess from my perspective I don't see a draw at home to a good footballing side, albeit at league one level , when we are not on song as being a bad result, I don't think for one second we are going to perform every week, in fact I know we won't, we are still very much a league One work in progress. Teams coming down invariably struggle at first, sometimes for a whole season but we have kinda hit the ground running where results are concerned and have adjusted pretty well, let's not forget we had got into a terrible habit of losing and that is a hard habit to break no matter what League you are in.

I actually think Lambert will tell the players "it's a tough game" every week and personally I believe that is the right approach, if we just turn up like Billy big Bollocks expecting to win we will be doomed, some of these teams can play, I bet Sunderland went home from here saying bloody hell Ipswich can play cus on the day we killed them for the most part, I also think it is right to realise we are playing some young and new players, it will present pitfalls along the way but to be unbeaten and still in prime position at this early stage is better than most anticipated, surely our expectations haven't grown so much already.

As for the fan thing, the support has been fantastic this season, home and away and by and large most are fully behind it, will that remain when we do lose a few ? Who knows as our fans are as fickle as f*ck, take a 0-0 home draw for instance, some aren't happy but the point you raise about a packed Portman Road with the fans behind the team is a good one because when it was toxic players came out and said they didn't look forward to playing at home and the pressure was immense, now they love playing at home but to expect them to win every home game is not realistic, Four games in and Eight points from Twelve is pretty good in my book, but you are correct in that should we slip up agains't teams we are expected to beat then yes it will be purely down to the players and that is the same with any club in Football but it happens, it was down to the Man City players that they fooked up at Norwich and so on. One thing is for certain it's going to be an interesting few months LOL.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:06 pm
by marko69
I get what you're saying and thanks for that. But there is a bit of difference between Billy Big Baws and just heaps of confidence. You'll know better than me but I am sure Lambert will clamp down on any Big Baw Baggery at the slightest of sightings.

As a kid / teenager, I played for two teams. One was mediocre, one we won a few cups. We won the cups for the team managed by Pete Collins who told us that we could beat every team we played. Which we usually did.
"This will be a tough game"......., then YES, it WILL be a tough game.

And lets remember also......... other clubs WILL be saying "this will be a tough game" coming to Portman Road. The lads need to take full advantage of that.

Get these games won by Half Time FFS!

Ok, I am on the wind up there!

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:25 pm
by Bluemike
Peter Collins, Speedway world champion 1976, came 2nd the following year with a broken leg and had to be lifted onto his bike each race, now thats guts, useless bit of trivia for you.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:39 pm
by marko69
Was he brother of Les? Monarchs legend in the 80s?

But no....., just a regular lads team manager who was awesome......., and......, get this......, became the Santa Claus at the local supermarket in his retirement. My granddaughter sat on his knee. It's ok though, he was totally cool, nothing dodgy about auld Pete.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:44 pm
by Bluemike
Yes Les and Phil both brothers and riders

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 7:44 pm
by Andym
Bluemike wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 6:45 pm
I do get what you are trying to say, I guess from my perspective I don't see a draw at home to a good footballing side, albeit at league one level , when we are not on song as being a bad result, I don't think for one second we are going to perform every week, in fact I know we won't, we are still very much a league One work in progress. Teams coming down invariably struggle at first, sometimes for a whole season but we have kinda hit the ground running where results are concerned and have adjusted pretty well, let's not forget we had got into a terrible habit of losing and that is a hard habit to break no matter what League you are in.

I actually think Lambert will tell the players "it's a tough game" every week and personally I believe that is the right approach, if we just turn up like Billy big Bollocks expecting to win we will be doomed, some of these teams can play, I bet Sunderland went home from here saying bloody hell Ipswich can play cus on the day we killed them for the most part, I also think it is right to realise we are playing some young and new players, it will present pitfalls along the way but to be unbeaten and still in prime position at this early stage is better than most anticipated, surely our expectations haven't grown so much already.

As for the fan thing, the support has been fantastic this season, home and away and by and large most are fully behind it, will that remain when we do lose a few ? Who knows as our fans are as fickle as f*ck, take a 0-0 home draw for instance, some aren't happy but the point you raise about a packed Portman Road with the fans behind the team is a good one because when it was toxic players came out and said they didn't look forward to playing at home and the pressure was immense, now they love playing at home but to expect them to win every home game is not realistic, Four games in and Eight points from Twelve is pretty good in my book, but you are correct in that should we slip up agains't teams we are expected to beat then yes it will be purely down to the players and that is the same with any club in Football but it happens, it was down to the Man City players that they fooked up at Norwich and so on. One thing is for certain it's going to be an interesting few months LOL.
I agree with all of this 100%

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:04 pm
by marko69
Ref caption:

Player: That was clearly a penalty, ref.
Ref: No,.......... it wasn't.
Player: Look, Ref, the manager said this was going to be a very VERY tough game and we need all the help we can get.
Ref: I do not care. It wasn't a penalty. You'll just need to play a little bit better and score more open play goals due to being really good football players.
Player; But ref?
Ref: No buts, not a penalty.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 8:07 pm
by marko69
Opposition caption:

NEWS HEADLINES:
MK MAIN SPORTS STORE CLOSES DUE TO POOR REPLICA SHIRT SALES.

Seriously?? Are they all too embarrassed to get their shirts on display? Two guys? Probably all still Wimbledon fans.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 10:06 pm
by Bluemike
Anyone else going tomorrow?

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:24 pm
by Mach_Polish_Blue
marko69 wrote:
Mon Sep 16, 2019 4:35 pm
That’s why I wrote “pre-season goal” Andy. 🤦‍♂️ God, I wish folk would read posts.

But you’re also kind of making my point also..... if ITFC can’t win @ Portman Road, with 17K fans backing them...... then maybe the negativity isn’t a feckin issue? The team are sometimes mediocre regardless. That’s the point being made. Unsavoury results was partly being blamed on fans until recently. Well it sounds like the fans are realising this, getting on board, but that particular advantage at Portman Road doesn’t seem to be being grabbed by the players, (if they are indeed any good)

Not suggesting they’re world beaters and I’ve already said that it’s a fantastic start, (and could be better)
For me, (presumably only me and maybe Mach) it’s a bit of a shocking result at Portman Road. Really hoping Portman Road can be turned into THREE POINTS Road fairly rapidly.
No I don't classify it as a shocking result. No way. I'm 'only' disappointed with the fact the opponent were able to outplay us at Portman Road in League One. Given the way some of our fans rave about the quality of the team it is us that ought to have dominated the proceedings.

The fact that we played with two defensive midfielders in the 4-4-2 system AT HOME isn't encouraging.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Mon Sep 16, 2019 11:25 pm
by Mach_Polish_Blue
The only way to redeem the disappointing Doncaster game is 3 points tomorrow. Don't really know what to make out of MK Dons' 3-0 win last Saturday. Really surprising result. I can only comment about what I had seen on Sky while they played AFC Wimbledon 10 days ago.
My general thoughts were: 'we are here in 10 days time and only the win will do'. If that game is anything to go by we have to win. MK Dons didn't impress at all. Yep they had been 2-0 up at half time but AFC Wimbledon really helped that result by their very poor performance. Little bit of pace in young Nombe in the MK Dons attack and that's it. A pair of two geriatric central backs in Russell Martin and Dean Lewington and there might be a key as Jackson's pace and Norwood's work ethic might turn out to be too tough to handle for them.

If Lambert persists on the 4-4-2 system then please drop Judge as he's been ineffective for the variety of reasons. Drop him and start with Georgiou as the latter is a natural winger and let's see what he can offer from the start.

The day off work has been booked therefore I'll be making the 3 hour trip alongside other Town fan from the Manchester area. My 3rd visit down there and it really is a soulless ground and weird place. But it's all about 3 points and coming back North being relieved.

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:42 am
by Blue Wilf
I am going - anyone going for anoint pre game? If so, where?

Re: MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 7:42 am
by Blue Wilf
Anoint?? Bloody spell check! A pint!!