I was struggling to find the words to begin a preview of this fixture until I examined the detail of our opponent’s most recent results. The win at Wrexham seemed outstanding at the time, but Wrexham’s subsequent results have marked them as having an even worse defence than Rovers, so perhaps MKD’s loss at Crawley and narrow wins over bottom-of-the-table Colchester and 19th place Tranmere are more accurate indicators of their relative ability.
Of course, we have even less credit to our account, but you might say that this perspective narrows the gap to some degree.
In fact it boils down to finding reasons why MKD might not win rather than imagining that a case could be made to substantiate the expectation of even a draw.
The defence has not yet established itself as a reliable force with the limitations of the goalkeeper now exposed. Indeed without the rejuvenated, but now injured Tom Anderson, but reliant on slow Wood and error-prone Olowu we offer only a fragile barrier to free shooting practice by our opponents. Aside from some inexperienced youngsters in attack who have yet to effectively cohere into a combined force we seem weak and scarcely worthy of the description “team".
Our main asset is the driving force of the manager and although there is little to encourage me to make a favourable assessment of the prospects for this match he will surely put his team into gear at some point soon. Whether it will be soon enough to sustain a challenge to escape (upwards) remains unsure, but I cannot believe that we will not progress at least to the top half of the table this season.
Perhaps this will be the start of something good - 2-2 (Ironside/Faal/Sotona)
DPL v MK Dons
posted on 26/8/23
Most logic says with the way we are playing we cannot beat anyone, but sometime things have to change.
I suppose the best we can hope for is a draw, but I'll go reckless again and say a 1-2 win to the Rovers with Molyneux scoring if he starts, or Ironside.
When I see the team, I may get more realistic!
posted on 26/8/23
I was going to predict exactly the same as Micky but I suspect its not going to be a case of great minds think alike but rather fools seldom differ. So I'll go 2-1 to MKD, Rowe or Molyeneux. So at least someone will get some DPL points this season!
posted on 26/8/23
Time for realism from me and I hope that this "funny old game" proves me wrong. 3-0 to MK Dons.
posted on 26/8/23
MK Dons 3-1 Rovers
Ironside to score ⚽
posted on 26/8/23
Having seen the team....going for broke with all the changes? Change my scorer to Sotona.
posted on 26/8/23
At last, a really spirited performance and some hope.
posted on 26/8/23
I didn't see the game but the stats suggest that we actually got a grip and tried to win. Let's hope it's not just a flash in the pan and that we start to get some points on the board.
posted on 28/8/23
I did not watch the game as I decided to watch Man U play Forest instead - that was an interesting game to say the least!
The Extended Highlights do show some improvements, but also some shocking defending. If Mo Faal could improve his finishing a little, we may have a winner in him. We really should have been ahead at halftime.
It might be interesting against Everton who are also having a dreadful start to the season. Could there be a chance of another win against a higher division team?
We can live in hope - just like trying to win a lottery!
posted on 28/8/23
If we are having a DPL for the Everton game can I predict?
Rovers 0-4 Everton
I will be a unavailable later.
Cheers
Mooli ⚽