League game number 3 sees MK Dons arrive at the Alexandra Stadium (albeit without fans after the news earlier in the week) with both teams looking for their first victory of the season to move out of the bottom 7 in League 1.
Last Season:
Last season saw MK Dons start the season with 4 wins from their opening 7 league games before picking up 2 points in the next 12 games leaving them in trouble. They would have a revival over the Xmas period through to the final game of the shortened season, finishing in 19th place in League 1 on PPG.
They would go out of the Carabao Cup in the 3rd Round at Liverpool following a win on penalties at AFC Wimbledon then win 4-1 at Southend United and they would lose to Port Vale in the 1st Round of the FA Cup. In the EFL Trophy, they would top their group that also contained Stevenage, Fulham’s Under-21s and Wycombe Wanderers, they would beat Coventry City in Round 2 before going out to Newport County in Round 3.
This season:
They have played 4 games so far this season, a 1-1 draw at Doncaster Rovers and a 2-1 home defeat against Lincoln City so far in the league, they lost 1-0 to Coventry City in the Carabao Cup 1st Round as well as winning 3-1 at home to Northampton Town in the first game in the EFL Trophy (their group also contains Stevenage and Southampton Under-21s).
Transfers:
MK have made 11 signings in total, 7 on permanent deals and 4 season-long loans, with goalkeeper Laurie Walker being joined by defenders Daniel Harvie (from Ayr), Richard Keogh, Callum Brittain and Warren O’Hora (on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion). Also joining them are midfielders Ben Gladwin, Scott Fraser, Louis Thompson (on loan from Norwich City) and Lasse Sorensen (on loan from Stoke City) while forwards Joe Mason and Carlton Morris (on loan from Norwich) complete the signings.
12 players have left the club this summer, including former Alex striker Jordan Bowery.
Head-to-Head:
Alex Wins: 4
Dons Wins: 4
Draws: 3
Biggest Alex Win: 2-0 at the Alexandra Stadium in January 2014
Biggest Dons Win: 6-1 at Stadium:MK in September 2014
Last Meeting:
MK Dons 0-1 Crewe Alexandra, 19th January 2019
Charlie Kirk would score the only goal of the game in the 32nd minute following a pass from Ryan Wintle.
Alex: Garratt; Ng, Ray (c), Nolan, Pickering; Jones, Wintle, Ainley (Lowery 73); Bowery, Porter, Kirk (Nicholls 89)
Dons: Nicholls; Walsh, Cargill (D’Ath 70), Moore-Taylor; Houghton, Gilbey, McGrandles, Lewington (c); Agard (Sow 66), Aneke, Pawlett (Harley 46)
Played for Both:
The following players have been contracted to both teams:
Goalkeepers: Ademola Bankole, Paul Rachubka
Defenders: Jon Otsemobor, James Tunnicliffe, Danny Woodards
Midfielders: Chuks Aneke, Mark Carrington, Jake Livermore, Anthony McNamee, Alan Navarro
Forwards: Jordan Bowery, Simon Church, Ryan Colclough, Tom Hitchcock, Ryan Lowe, Nicky Maynard, John Miles, Dean Morgan, Daniel Powell, Ryan Seager, Allan Smart, Stephen Walker
Officials:
The officials for this game have been announced here with Sebastian Stockbridge the referee, Thomas Harty and Gary Hilton are his assistants with Karl Evans the fourth official. Here are the Crewe games that have been refereed by Stockbridge in the previous 5 years:
- Burton Albion 0-0 Crewe Alexandra (20th October 2015)
- Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Barnsley (27th February 2016) – Guthrie
- Crewe Alexandra 1-4 Cheltenham Town (15th November 2016, FA Cup)
- Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Cambridge United (1st April 2017) – o.g.
- Crewe Alexandra 2-0 Grimsby Town (1st January 2018) – Porter, Walker
- Carlisle United 1-0 Crewe Alexandra (25th August 2018)
- Bury 3-1 Crewe Alexandra (1st January 2019) – Porter
- Crewe Alexandra 6-1 Crawley Town (16th March 2019) – Bowery, og, Porter, Green, Kirk, Dale
Opposition View:
I asked MK Dons supporter Jonathan Harries for his thoughts going into the game and looking at the season ahead.
How would you describe last season for the Dons?
Last season for Mk Dons was a tale of two halves. Under Tisdale, we were too defensive though a striker injury crisis ultimately cost him his job. Russell Martin came in with the team in the relegation zone but, by adopting a different style and positive energy, climbed the league playing “The Mk Way”.
We are missing George Williams, Richard Keogh, Kieran Agard and Louis Thompson although the former two are back in training not being risked as October is a busy month.
What is the position that you think needs strengthening before the transfer window shuts?
Striker without a doubt. Losing someone as lethal as Rhys Healey (only Ivan Toney had a better Goals per Game ratio) we need someone to convert the chances being created.
What would be the team that you would pick for the game if you were in charge?
Nichols, Poole, O’Hora, Cargill, Lewington, Harvie, Kasumu, Houghton, Sorensen, Nombe, Morris
Who is the danger man for yourselves?
Lasse Sorensen. He’s definitely championship quality – he’s good at passing, shooting, positioning and intelligence.
What would be a successful season for MK Dons this term?
Anywhere between 10th and 15th as I believe League 1 is competitive throughout.
