League 1 - MK Dons vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[marko69]

P GD PTS

1 Sheff Wed 32 37 71
2 Plymouth 33 22 68
3 Ipswich 33 30 63
4 Bolton 34 25 62
5 Barnsley 31 21 59
6 Derby 32 22 57
7 Wycombe 32 13 53


Table looking better. Huge 3PTS next game v Burton.

Posh get draw @ Hillsborough
Charlton get draw @ Argyle
Bristol Rovers manage draw @ home with Barnsley.

Bolton & Derby probably win.

COYB's

[Andym]

I do not get it at all. Are there big "Kieron Out" speeches all ready but they can't be used? Jeezo.

I hope not. The best manager we have had for years.
Some of the criticism has been way over the top in my opinion, and one of the reasons I've stayed away a bit. Not because I don't like it, just that I disagree and think it's a lack of understanding. so here goes...

I said when he was appointed that he would make mistakes. All managers do, and being inexperienced he was likely to make more than most. I really don't think he's made that many.

The "No plan B" criticism is a bit over the top. He wants us to play football from the back. He wants us to play possession football. Why should he change that? We did a bit first half today with long high balls (possibly for reasons I gave earlier), had less than 50% possession in that half and despite the excellent goal we didn't look comfortable.

The "rotation" policy isn't as simple as that. I am fairly sure he doesn't rotate just to give everyone a game. I agree it might not be good for an on-form striker to be dropped, but his decisions are, I imagine, much more to do with how he sees the opposition than anything else. For example, would you pick Burns or Jackson wide right? I think it depends what you want in a game. If a team is likely to sit back, Burns is the more likely to take someone on and beat them. But a team with a higher line, and Jackson's pace behind them is better. And(and this has surprised me this season), if the opposition is likely to pose a threat down their left, Jackson has the better defensive qualities of the two. I'm just using that as an example of why you might choose an individual for a particular game. I call that tactics, not rotation. Regarding strikers, in all honesty I'd actually prefer to see Bonne or Norwood over anyone we have here now. That's not particularly relevant but I just haven't been overly convinced by any of our current strikers.

To my mind the mistake (and I said this weeks ago and it didn't go down well at the time) was that we stopped moving the ball quickly. I don't mean 40-yard passes, I mean that we started the season high on energy and supporting, playing it in neat 10-yard (or less) triangles, making the opposition chase us and wear themselves out. I appreciate that gets more difficult when teams sit back more, but it's still possible. And that's when you play the ball around trying to draw the opposition out. And the fucktard who sits behind me shouts out "Play it forwards!" And I think, yes, play a long high ball to a 6'6" defence, what a brilliant idea. tw*t.

Whatever happens (my prediction is losing in the playoffs, not sure who to - I'd say Barnsley but they might make top 2) this has been the most enjoyable season in years. Good football, big crowds. If we fail to get promotion it will be disappointing but we can do it again next year. The biggest problem will be keeping the better players in that situation.

[marko69]

I do not get it at all. Are there big "Kieron Out" speeches all ready but they can't be used? Jeezo.

I hope not. The best manager we have had for years.
Some of the criticism has been way over the top in my opinion, and one of the reasons I've stayed away a bit. Not because I don't like it, just that I disagree and think it's a lack of understanding. so here goes...

I said when he was appointed that he would make mistakes. All managers do, and being inexperienced he was likely to make more than most. I really don't think he's made that many.

The "No plan B" criticism is a bit over the top. He wants us to play football from the back. He wants us to play possession football. Why should he change that? We did a bit first half today with long high balls (possibly for reasons I gave earlier), had less than 50% possession in that half and despite the excellent goal we didn't look comfortable.

The "rotation" policy isn't as simple as that. I am fairly sure he doesn't rotate just to give everyone a game. I agree it might not be good for an on-form striker to be dropped, but his decisions are, I imagine, much more to do with how he sees the opposition than anything else. For example, would you pick Burns or Jackson wide right? I think it depends what you want in a game. If a team is likely to sit back, Burns is the more likely to take someone on and beat them. But a team with a higher line, and Jackson's pace behind them is better. And(and this has surprised me this season), if the opposition is likely to pose a threat down their left, Jackson has the better defensive qualities of the two. I'm just using that as an example of why you might choose an individual for a particular game. I call that tactics, not rotation. Regarding strikers, in all honesty I'd actually prefer to see Bonne or Norwood over anyone we have here now. That's not particularly relevant but I just haven't been overly convinced by any of our current strikers.

To my mind the mistake (and I said this weeks ago and it didn't go down well at the time) was that we stopped moving the ball quickly. I don't mean 40-yard passes, I mean that we started the season high on energy and supporting, playing it in neat 10-yard (or less) triangles, making the opposition chase us and wear themselves out. I appreciate that gets more difficult when teams sit back more, but it's still possible. And that's when you play the ball around trying to draw the opposition out. And the fucktard who sits behind me shouts out "Play it forwards!" And I think, yes, play a long high ball to a 6'6" defence, what a brilliant idea. tw*t.

Whatever happens (my prediction is losing in the playoffs, not sure who to - I'd say Barnsley but they might make top 2) this has been the most enjoyable season in years. Good football, big crowds. If we fail to get promotion it will be disappointing but we can do it again next year. The biggest problem will be keeping the better players in that situation.

Nice post, Andy....., and although I have no right to comment on Ipswich Towns reasons for the changes, the part highlighted is spot on for me in terms of what Liam Johnson has been trying (and recently succeeding) at Hibs. Like I say, I cannot comment on Kieron as I am not witnessing 90+ minutes of football......., but I do believe its all tactics....., nothing at all to do with keeping morale up at the club.

[Ricco]

5:20pm after a pivotal away win ......, and this forum is deserted. Faaaakin hell, man. Where is the "traffic" after the losses? JaysusH.

Woop!! There you go Marko, that's it though, got me hands full at the moment!

RICCO!!!!!! You at the toilet? Know what you mean, buddy.

Only one hand needed there at the best of times. I was trying to keep a baby from screaming, that's 3 hands required or more!

Top stuff today, was listening when the goal went in, I'm glad I missed the rest of it though, as I'm sure those last 10 minutes felt like 3 hours. Likewise with the Plymouth game, they got back to within a goal twice.

[Blue Wilf]

We made hard work of it but 3 points turned to 6 when Plymouth lost! Burgess my MOM with Morsy just behind. Burns not the man he was a year ago. Walton immense in first half (although i thought their guy was offside).

Happy day and happy week ahead. 2 more wins and then huge games with bolton, derby and barnsley that will define our season.. COYB's!!

[Charnwood]

It was one of those days when things just went our way. In the first 15 mins MK Dons could so easily have gone ahead as they really played above themselves and created a number of goal scoring opportunities. In contrast we were trying to adapt to a more direct style of play which we seemed to struggle with until Morsy’s fine strike from more than 20 years which found the back of the net to put us in front.
Although we were never able to build on that it did settle the team and knocked the stuffing out of spirited MK Dons. Whilst I’m disappointed we couldn’t score a second we had players working their socks off to keep a clean sheet and unless Lee Evans is fit I’d keep this starting line up for a third consecutive match.
My Man Of The Match today would be Sam Morsy I thought he was immense followed by Christian Walton who kept us in the game in those frenetic early stages, and I’m not sure we had enough fire power to come from behind especially if they’d decided to park the bus if they’d gone one up.
With other results going our way an automatic promotion place could be back on the cards, there’s a long way to go and more changes to happen. Don’t give up yet.
Well done team.

[Blue Wilf]

One other minor gripe but having seen what being direct did for Morsy, why oh why can't the others just f*cking SHOOT when they get sight of goal?!!! Don't try and beat those extra 3 players - just get your shot off early!!

Oh and I don't get Hirst - he spends more time trying to fight off defenders than actually playing the ball... and why is Clark keeping Donacien out of the team? Its Ladapo and Donacien every time for me to start - even if Ladapo misses chances, he is still more mobile than Hirst...

[number 9]

Happy with the 3 points, but an unconvincing return for a team seeking automatic promotion. If you’re too dumb to figure out my New manager thread was irony, you’re too dumb to acknowledge we still have a mountain to climb. We got lucky today, but one goal is not enough. I’m not standing up for KM anymore cuz football is a results business. I do hope he succeeds in getting us promoted, but I’m not overly excited about a 1-0 win at a league one bottom dweller. Ladapo, Hirst, Broadhead whoever…get the job done and stop pissing about.

[arana peligrosa]

The Morsy goal was worthy of winning any game. Caught some game highlights, there were a real let-off early on when they caused havoc in our penalty area with shots and ricochet in front of Walton's goal but somehow the ball stayed out. Probably deserved to win on the face of it, gave the game an intentional miss but fact is the team won and those three points will prove crucial in the weeks ahead particuarly with a round of tough fixtures coming up.

We made up half the attendance at their stadia today, sounds commendable and it is, but all you need do is travel directly west from our stadium to Milton Keynes and you arrive at the destination. Kind of tough to lose your way, airplane from Madrid to New York kind of thing.

Other results were mixed. DCFC seem unsure whether they want a promotion or another stay in this sh*t division while Bolton and Barnsley picked up big wins. Plymouth do seem catchable. Can't give up on second place as yet, all we need do is continue to victory ourselves and hope challengers drop points. Been said before but why does Ladapo not start more regularly. Was skeptical at first to the boys ability but arguably now one of our best, most promising strikers available. One of McKenna's little idiosyncracies, just the way the man operates. If it brings results and the team continues to win, guess you can overlook it.

[marko69]

Happy with the 3 points, but an unconvincing return for a team seeking automatic promotion. If you’re too dumb to figure out my New manager thread was irony, you’re too dumb to acknowledge we still have a mountain to climb. We got lucky today, but one goal is not enough. I’m not standing up for KM anymore cuz football is a results business. I do hope he succeeds in getting us promoted, but I’m not overly excited about a 1-0 win at a league one bottom dweller. Ladapo, Hirst, Broadhead whoever…get the job done and stop pissing about.

[shabba]

Great post from AndyM.

We just needs wins in any form at the moment, and clean sheets will help with confidence too. I thought we were good second half but really the story of needing to score more of the chances we create applies, should have been 3-1 or 4-1 that game.

I actually was ranting we need Burns off and Jackson on, then I only realised Jackson actually had been brought on after some time, so maybe we just didn't do as much on that right side all game as we usually do.

A little more good fortune for once, which we know we are owed by now. Lets hopefully keep this run going, I'll be at PR again this weekend and will do a special write up as I'll be doing it a little differently this time.

Come on town!

[marko69]

When you say “doing it a little differently”…… do you mean the actual content will be a little different? Or are you actually, physically going to be writing it a little differently? Like writing it suspended from the Forth Rail Bridge in a mankini type of thing?

[AzzurroMark]

Well Pompey did us a big favour tonight, veating Bolton 3-1. Never really expected Cheltenham to offer much of a resistance against the Rams though.

[number 9]

Well Pompey did us a big favour tonight, veating Bolton 3-1. Never really expected Cheltenham to offer much of a resistance against the Rams though.

“Veating” ….is that a Suffolk phrase?

[number 9]

Thas a rum ole job…we veated you!

[number 9]

I hope we “veat” Burton!

[Steve]

Well Pompey did us a big favour tonight, veating Bolton 3-1. Never really expected Cheltenham to offer much of a resistance against the Rams though.

“Veating” ….is that a Suffolk phrase?

Sorry Mark but its not a Norfolk word either.

Good job Portsmouth though, we still need to look above us and not below us in the league in my opinion

[number 9]

Maybe it’s Russian for beat? A real horror show.

[number 9]

A Clock Work Orange, Anthony Burgess for those scratching your heads. Spider Man will get it.

[AzzurroMark]

Well Pompey did us a big favour tonight, veating Bolton 3-1. Never really expected Cheltenham to offer much of a resistance against the Rams though.

“Veating” ….is that a Suffolk phrase?

I think I have "Hallam syndrome" where what I mean and what I actually type are often quite different things.
(Better watch my back when I'm next at PR ).

[arana peligrosa]

Derby getting a victory were a shitter although understand Cheltenham didn't offer much by way of a fight and are essentially a weak team. Bolton getting a defeat is useful for sure and we've got two games in hand over those. I believe Barnsley pose the most credible threat of those directly behind us, they got games in hand over all others and had a big win at the weekend . They could overtake any of the club names mentioned (results permitting) in the weeks ahead including ourselves.