By Jon Harries from MK Dons Worldwide on Facebook, who kindly allow us to cover their article. Please go over to their page and let them know your thoughts in the chat.
John is a late but extremely able substituion for Luke Payne
So todays game for me was a must win….. given results had gone our way over the weekend. Unfortunately we couldn’t take advantage as we were held at home by Burton. It certainly wasn’t a classic and we were nowhere near our best but it’s a point in a Defining December. Here are the Paynes Players Ratings for today’s game (at least Luke Payne has given me a goal to talk about)
Jamie Cumming 6. No chance with the penalty right in the side nettiy. Good save in the first half from a rare Burton attack. Wanted to distribute quickly but at times players weren’t looking to see where it was going. Not very helpful for the way we want to play.
Tennai Watson 6. Solid not spectacular. His link up play with Burns was decent and couple of times found himself further forward. I felt the connection wasn’t there with Barry with some very obvious inside balls that the Burton defence gobbled up more to come from T IMO
Jack Tucker 4. For whatever reason he’s just not settling in at Mk Dons to me. Doesn’t look comfortable playing out, would rather boot the ball up field. Couple of basic passes went astray although his positioning and recovery was decent. Maybe I was guilty of going too big on Jack when he signed hey Ollie Welch
Warren O’Hora 6. Typical Woz. Nothing spectacular. Very vocal captain. Struggled to distribute well with lack of movement ahead but reliable as always.
Daniel Harvie 3. His attitude stunk in the first half. Aimless balls to Mo naturally booked and just looked disinterested. Thought at one point he was going off but slightly improved in the second half with more purpose to his play.
Josh McEachran 4. Again guilty of giving away a penalty. He got the ball but it did look out of control. He got a lot of the ball with Burton sitting back once they got the lead and did try and get us going. Subbed
Dawson Devoy 8 Top Don. Guile purpose quality. Dawson shone always looking for the ball, not afraid to put his foot in and picking up clever positions in the pocket. Assisted the equaliser and genuinely was a joy to watch at times. Very good performance.
Darragh Burns. 5. Classed as a cameo due to his injury he was bright, pacy and direct. Imagine he would have had more joy if he was on longer.
Conor Grant 3. Anonymous. Little to no service no link up with Eisa. Forgot he was on the pitch. Subbed.
Nathan Holland 6. When he is on it and direct he’s brilliant. Defenders don’t know which way he will go. Wish he’d make more of an effort to demand the ball though. Seems like a Daniel Powell sort of player. Frustrating.
Mo Eisa 5. Hitting high long balls to Mo doesn’t work. Ever. You may as well play with 10 men. He’s so much better running onto a ball along the ground. One shot saved in the first half.
Louie Barry 4. Ineffective IMO. Burns offered more and again probably trying too hard. Had a shot over the bar. Maybe was playing on weakest side. Poor decision making.
Will Grigg 6. More effective with a partner up top. Little to do but dragged us up the pitch.
Bradley Johnson. 6. Wasn’t expecting much when he came on. Ended up scoring. Another goal that got us points. Sub should be his role as I feel there could be a good partnership between Devoy and McEachran.
Team performance 5. Not great not bad. Improved in the second half but we need so much more. Fight desire heart all needed in this situation.
Fleetwood is HUGELY IMPORTANT. Win and this point looks better.
Thank you for getting this far reading this. Please leave your thoughts below. Until next time. COYD.
