Before Christmas everything looked rosy at Stadium Mk. Second in the League. Strikers free scoring. Defence tight. Solid performances. Our two losses at that point, to Lincoln and Stevenage respectively, were maybe unlucky.
What’s happened since has been nothing short of baffling but hopefully I’ll be able to create some clarity.
Injuries
Injuries are part and parcel of every season. Before December you could probably name Mk Dons starting eleven without thinking. Since then injuries to Jordan Moore-Taylor, Joe Walsh, Callum Brittain and George Williams have affected our flow, especially defensively.
To be a successful side you need continuity. The spine of the team needs to be constant. Having to change the defence nearly every game hasn’t helped. Even Baudry was playing well for two games and then for the Bury game Tisdale brought back Walsh and JMT. You could see Walsh, especially, was tiring particularly for Telford goal. Remember Lee Nichols still has the most clean-sheets in the league although personally I feel he could have done better with two of the recent goals at least.
Consistent ninety minutes
All too often this season we have failed to have a consistent 90 minutes. 17 points dropped from winning positions throughout the season. The game against Northampton is a prime example. 2-0 up and cruising we then sat back and invited pressure. Against Yeovil, Lincoln, Stevenage, and Bury we also dropped points from winning positions. I never expected to cruise League Two but comparing our consistency to Lincoln, Bury and Mansfield suggests something needs to change quickly.
The Healey effect
9 goals, 2 assists, 33 shots on target and 18 chances created is hard to replace
Without doubt when we were at our consistent best it was when Aneke, Agard and Healey were on fire. The work-rate of Healey complimented the busy Agard and physical Aneke. Time will tell if Healey returns (hopefully) or if David Wheeler is the answer but it’s a situation that needs to be resolved.
Leadership
This is something that’s been brought up in the past and again it’s resurfaced. For me there’s not enough leadership on the pitch when the pressure is on. I can only think of Gilbey and Lewington off the top of my head.
There needs to be more of a collective responsibility amongst everyone. The hard work starts tonight against Oldham.
Time for the players to stand up and be counted. Is Tisdale the right man for the job. YES!!!! IMHO this is the best squad he’s assembled in his management career (no disrespect Exeter) expectations are higher and the one good thing is Winkleman, on the whole, gives managers time. I have every confidence that promotion will be achieved. COYD COYD.
I’d also like to congratulate Grimsby Town and Crewe for their recent wins. Both underestimated in this league.
words Jonathan Harries, D3D4 MK Dons writer