Opposing views: Milton Keynes (H)
We have the views of four Milton Keynes fans ahead of a crucial clash at Vale Park on Saturday….
About the fans
Cornerdon -I am currently away at Uni in Norwich which means I can only attend the odd game (10-15 a season), but I have had a season ticket ever since the move. My parents were not hugely into football at the time but started taking me and my brother as something to do at the weekend. They are now both season ticket holders and love the Dons as much as I do.
Jamesdon – I started watching games back in 2009 with my family then got a season ticket last season and haven’t looked back since.
Bingoman – I got free tickets to a home game about 2007, and liked it. I then thought that I may as well go to the next home game, and then the next, and then the next and before I know it I’m going to every home game and then we play Swansea City and go to Wembley as a result so I tootle off down to Wembley and at the end of it all ask myself how hard can away games be. So I began going to away games as well as home games. Then, before I knew it I was going to almost every away game as well as every home game.
Sausage -My first game at Milton Keynes was 2006.
How is your team faring this season?
We are back on a winning streak which is nice and hopefully we can keep momentum going and sneak second…
Cornerdon -In all honesty I expected promotion, however the strange thing is the players who I thought would be key to the promotion bid have been disappointing. Green, Hitchcock and Spence have either featured little or not been as good as I hoped. We are back on a winning streak which is nice and hopefully we can keep momentum going and sneak second.
Jamesdon – We’re now third after an impressive 3-0 win away at Swindon. At the start of the season most of us, myself included, would have been content with a play-off place but after being in and around the automatics quite a few fans would be disppointed if we didn’t get automatic promotion.
Bingoman – We had a few bad results that made us relinquish second place to Preston North End, but since then we’ve won three on the bounce including a nice 3-0 away win at Swindon. Overall, I never expected us to be this high at this point at the start, especially not when we were 2-0 down at home on the first day against Gillingham. But we won that game and the momentum has largely continued, with a 4-0 win against Manchester United in the League Cup. I started to believe that we could go up in November/December around the time we beat Colchester 6-0, Sheffield United away, drew with Preston away and beat Oldham 7-0.
Sausage -We are doing better than most of us expected.
Where do you think you’ll finish?
This week could be key for where we’ll finish…
Cornerdon -I think we will finish third, but part of me thinks if Preston lose today we can sneak second.
Jamesdon – This week could be key for where we’ll finish with Preston playing Bradford and Bristol whilst we play you and Scunthorpe on Tuesday – if they slip up and we don’t second could be ours otherwise I think we will finish third
Bingoman – Second or third, which one of those may be decided this week, I hope it’s the former.
Sausage –Third.
Who should we watch out for?
Cornerdon -Everyone knows about Dele . Carl Baker was looking quite the part but recently faded, watch out for his turn multiple times before shooting technique. Carruthers on his day will run your midfield ragged, especially if they have one eye on Dele like Swindon did.
Jamesdon – With Dele back he will cause your defence a lot of problems. Samir Carruthers also looks a different player now that he is playing in a more midfield role. Kyle McFadzean has been a rock at the back for us whilst Will Grigg looks like a quality striker.
Bingoman – Nobody. I’m not willing to jinx their performances! Devante Cole 🙂
Sausage -Apart from Baker if he’s fit, there’s Daniel Powell in alternate matches, Dele Ali in most matches
What are your thoughts on your manager?
The club is in a much better place since he took over…
Cornerdon -I think he is great and sometimes gets unwarranted stick. His commitment to the Dons, to the football style and keeping a sustainable club is admirable.
Jamesdon – He divides opinion among our fanbase at the best of times but I rate Karl Robinson. After a poor run of form in early March and February he’s managed to get us back on track after a lot of pressure. Also the calibre of player we have managed to attract since he has been manager have been a lot better the successes of Afobe and Bamford being prime examples.
Bingoman – The club is in a much better place since he took over. Some of the players we have seen in his reign have been amazing (Benik Afobe and Patrick Bamford spring to mind), and we play some lovely football at times that in the past has never been associated with our club. This season he has shown an ability to make his team a bit more direct when required, and the result is that we’re fighting for promotion rather than tailing away from the play-offs.
Sausage -He’s good and still learning. He’s devoted to the club.
What are your thoughts on your board?
We are really planning for the future and hopefully promotion this season can take us to the next step…
Cornerdon -I think because we hear so little these days other than development on the stadium site, it all is good news. We are really planning for the future and hopefully promotion this season can take us to the next step.
Jamesdon – Winkleman has steadied the ship and there’s been a fair bit of investment this year in the team and with money from the hotel and retail there’s no reason why this shouldn’t continue.
Bingoman – We have a Premier League quality stadium, and even with that the club is being run sensibly. Mr Winkleman is not the evil bastard some would like to think he is .
Sausage – Cannot really fault them. I’m happy clappy today.
Any views on Port Vale?
We liked Lines when he was on loan here, but we couldn’t afford him…
Cornerdon -I know Birchall and Pope are decent players. Nimely was meant to be a good prospect, not sure if his game has developed much or not .
Jamesdon – You’ll probably finish mid table again. Tom Pope looks decent and my mate who supports Coventry says that Nimely is quite decent as well.
Bingoman – Chris Birchall I’ve heard of. He played for Trinidad & Tobago at the World Cup. Tom Pope seemed good in the past, and Chris Lines used to play for us, although he’s on loan at Bristol Rovers now apparently so that’s not relevant.
Sausage -We liked Lines when he was on loan here, but we couldn’t afford him.
What are your thoughts on the earlier game between the two sides?
I thought Port Vale were one of the more mediocre sides we have faced…
Cornerdon – I thought Port Vale were one of the more mediocre sides we have faced. You seemed happy to only lose 1-0 and we couldn’t grab another. Better sides have lost my significantly more at stadium:mk.
Jamesdon – Yes and Vale looked average if truth be told we scored early on and you defended well without threatening.
Bingoman – Yes. I was pleased that we won but your players looked threatening attack-wise.
Sausage -From what I remember Dons had a lot more of the game but struggled. Vale defended well but never looked like scoring. Lines was mugged for the sending-off. It kicked off another Daniel Powell debate on the Concrete Roundabout. He’s a very unconventional player. We have some fans who think he’s useless, and others who pay attention to games!
A score prediction?
Cornerdon -I think we will win quite comfortably, and I’m going for a 3-1 Dons win. Alli to grab at least one.
Jamesdon – Hard to see past a Dons win 3-1 Dons with Grigg and Dele (2) to score with Pope for you.
Bingoman – I think we’ll win 2-1. Grigg and Lewis Baker for us, and someone else for you.
Sausage -1-1. Always happens when L-L-L plays W-W-W. No idea about scorers!