It wasn't pretty

[PeteBlade]

But another 3 points, 11 unbeaten and Franchise dispatched so who gives a shite?

Thought Fleck was fantastic today and happy for Scougall to get a goal and assist.

Billy scored again so he's safe from calls to be dropped for another week...

All in all a good day!

 

[stringjunior]

MoM?

 

[Blade58]

Tough game. MK aren't a bad side and are probably in a false position. However, the other side of our game came through today with one or two battered and bruised bodies out there, but we got the all important 3 points

GTFI

 

[PeteBlade]

MoM?

Sorry son I'm not your Mom.

 

[Harry's Game]

MoM?

Fleck.

 

[stringjunior]

Sorry son I'm not your Mom.

No bitty?

 

[PeteBlade]

Fleck.

Yes I thought Fleck was everywhere today.

Scougall will get the plaudits for the goal and assist but Fleck was fantastic.

 

[Good Pinch Of Snuff]

MoM?

Fleck

 

[Ricky]

Both teams were fairly average, MK Dons were disappointing going forward. Our changes worked, theirs didn't. We coped well and closed the game out as I like us to do, without having to defend for 20 minutes solid and without going out of our way to waste time. We didn't look like conceding in the last 20 minutes.

O'Connell should have started but it's a good job we had Basham on the pitch, because him moving into midfield changed the game, and he once again showed what a key player he can be.

 

[Pollingtonblade]

Both teams were fairly average, MK Dons were disappointing going forward. Our changes worked, theirs didn't. We coped well and closed the game out as I like us to do, without having to defend for 20 minutes solid and without going out of our way to waste time. We didn't look like conceding in the last 20 minutes.

O'Connell should have started but it's a good job we had Basham on the pitch, because him moving into midfield changed the game, and he once again showed what a key player he can be.

Agree totally

 

[Harry's Game]

Both teams were fairly average, MK Dons were disappointing going forward. Our changes worked, theirs didn't. We coped well and closed the game out as I like us to do, without having to defend for 20 minutes solid and without going out of our way to waste time. We didn't look like conceding in the last 20 minutes.

O'Connell should have started but it's a good job we had Basham on the pitch, because him moving into midfield changed the game, and he once again showed what a key player he can be.

I would agree with that apart from saying both sides were fairly average, I thought it was two decent sides who cancelled each other out in many areas. I thought we deserved the win on our second half perfomance and tactitical nous of our manger who looks like he can think on his feet and has at least a plan B and C.

What a change from Clough and Adkins.

 

[Lard_Lad]

Fleck is different class, so calm on the ball, great first touch and passing ability, just waiting for him to get his goal now

 

[PokerBlade]

I would agree with that apart from saying both sides were fairly average, I thought it was two decent sides who cancelled each other out in many areas. I thought we deserved the win on our second half perfomance and tactitical nous of our manger who looks like he can think on his feet and has at least a plan B and C.

What a change from Clough and Adkins.

Yeah, thought Wilder's pre-match assessment that MK Dons are a better side than their recent results was pretty much spot on. They lacked any threat from the strikers (although that may have been from Wright and EEL dominating and winning everything that came near) but their defence was okay and their midfield passing was excellent at times and led to an excellent goal.

Still, we were just better. Not miles ahead for long periods, but our quality in key areas made the difference yet again. Another set piece, another goal. Scougall's assist was even better than his finish in my books. Brings it down under pressure and plays a perfectly weighted lob to leave Sharp one of his easier goals so far.

Tactically, we were clearly struggling early on to keep their midfield from dominating and Wilder made an immediate change to the formation by pushing Basham into the middle. That decision was key to our success and big credit to the manager for seeing that. Also, their number 2 was causing big trouble in the second half, and Wilder made an odd move in taking Scougall off and moving Fleck out left to counter him. Fleck then proceeded to crunch their lad, cleanly I might add, a couple of times and completely eliminate the threat with his interceptions.

I think the amount of time on the ball for MK showed that we did miss Done more than a little, but so pleased for Scoogs to make the most of his opportunity in the side. Still can't see past Fleck for MotM though. He's done so much hard work off the ball and been an absolutely class act on it.

Have to mention Coutts and Duffy as well. It's so good to watch us with midfielders who don't go hiding like they did last season, and instead constantly want the ball and find positions to receive it.

Another side made a decent effort at stopping us, and another side found out they couldn't.

 

[Esablade]

Good three points.
We move FORWARDS!

 

[Ricky]

It's just great that we beat those cunts. It's about time we did. Shame we couldn't have got Robinson the sack though.

If we're thinking about automatic promotion, which we should be, it was also important to win with the three above us all winning.

Also good to get this win on the board going into the 'cup break'. Good chance to rest a few ahead of Chesterfield now.

 

[Ted Hemsleys chads]

"It wasn't pretty"

The result was, and that's what matters. We were ugly as fuck in previous seasons, losing to the likes of Fleetwood, Southend etc. so winning ugly is fine by me.

I'm loving the resilience at the moment, getting the equaliser at Bradford, not going to pieces when they scored today, the new found 'never say die' attitude is a vast improvement so give me an ugly win over a pretty defeat any day.

I'm sure with Wilder at the helm we'll have some downright gorgeous, big tits, nice legs, cute arse wins but by the same token, I'll take the ugly sow wins too.

Edit: Hmm, maybe a tad sexist but fuck it, Sheffield double = One happy chappy.

 

[zablade]

It's just great that we beat those cunts. It's about time we did. Shame we couldn't have got Robinson the sack though.

If we're thinking about automatic promotion, which we should be, it was also important to win with the three above us all winning.

Also good to get this win on the board going into the 'cup break'. Good chance to rest a few ahead of Chesterfield now.

I think this result will r annoy the other three above js they all had much easier looking fixtures (okay Debatable about Bradford's) and may have looked towards this one as a bit of banana skin for us. They would have been a bit gutted that we got back in front after going 1-1.

 

[grafikhaus]

I'm not getting too carried away. After a dream start, we sat back too much and let MKD come on to us. Just leaving Sharp isolated up front made it look more like we were playing away (although this may be because Done was missing). We defended well in a 'so far and no farther' way, but 1-0 always leaves you on a knife edge, and so it proved.

Anyway, that's the negatives but it concerns me that Scunny and Bolton showed today how to 'put a game to bed'. This team have been totally transformed under Wilder. There's a fight and passion that simply didn't exist last season. In the second half three of our players 'bullied' the lino into awarding us a throw and we put in some seriously crunching challenges. MKD will prove a toughie for a few teams (especially away from MK) but it's another game won and out of the way. 11 unbeaten. Wonder when that last happened?

 

[robbiez666]

These kind of wins are going to be a lot more important than putting 3 or 4 past a team when it comes to promotion. The fact we can grind out these victories is a minor miracle in itself given the last 6 years.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Fleck was absolute class.

Loves a tackle, built like a tank and runs his blood to water!! But rather than expecting a player of limited ability on the ball, he really is exceptional. What a pity we missed out on him first time around....bloody fax machine.

After early dominance, we started to lose our way after 15 mins. Not sure if MK made a tactical switch, but whatever happened needed us to put Bash in the middle to help. This isolated Sharp however, as I thought Scougall didn't really get a lot of the ball. We were often under pressure because we couldn't keep the ball up front.

Flat back four doesn't work so well for us, though putting Bash in midfield obviously reduced their threat. I think if I had been in charge old Scougs might have been taken off at half time for OConnell. Resume our preferred shape but with Bash, Coutts and Fleck in midfield with Duffy playing alongside Sharp or just behind him.
But Wilder saw differently and got the result...credit on him.

 

[stringjunior]

Wonder when that last happened?

2012 I believe

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Fleck.

Watch your mouth, this is a family website.

 

[Weasel]

Fleck was absolute class.
What a pity we missed out on him first time around....bloody fax machine.

Whereas im bloody delighted that we missed out on him first time round. If he had been signed, he would have been more youthful and not the more all rounded player he is now. If he had signed and started coming good he would have been flogged by now for a few mouldy groats and another one would have been lost to us before we really had time to see what he could potentially do for us. If he had signed under Wilson, he would have been part of the losers club that we had on our hands over the last 2 to 3 seasons under the managerial masterclasses of Clough and Adkins. Also the other lad (Hutton??) as sunk without trace. Nope, for me i say our fax machine and his stubborn refusal to work that long ago transfer deadline night played a blinder. I might get a new Utd shirt with 'Broken Fax Machine' on the back in homage to our hero.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Fleck was excellent.But he's still after that "worldy." Wish he's shoot from a bit closer in.

 

[coaxingstar71]

I thought I'd give Duffy and Lafferty a mention.

Duffy has had a fair bit of criticism since joining us but I think he's getting better and better with each game. It's noticeable how a lot of our play goes through him and he's got a great delivery from free-kicks, reminds me of how Hodges used to bend them into the box.

After a dodgy first couple of games, I think Lafferty has been good too. Does the simple things well, good in the air and gets good crosses in.

We're still giving Scougs faint praise aren't we?

 

[grafikhaus]

2012 I believe

Good call, SJ. Start of the 2012-13 season, 16 games unbeaten:



This run ended on Nov. 10, 0-1 at fucking MKD.

Interesting that the crowds back then were lower than what we're getting now.

 

[stringjunior]

Good call, SJ.

Cant take any credit. Rob Stanton mentioned it ont wireless yesterday

 

[gavtheblade]

Good call, SJ. Start of the 2012-13 season, 16 games unbeaten:

View attachment 20477

This run ended on Nov. 10, 0-1 at fucking MKD.

Interesting that the crowds back then were lower than what we're getting now.

Paul Gallagher!! What a player that bloke is,still now.
Totally forgot we ever had him!!

 

[Roygbiv]

A cliche but we would have drawn maybe even lost that last season . I went with a lad yesterday who hasnt been all season and it was interesting to hear his views. He said that it was a world away from last season . He was stunned by the work rate that us who have been somewhat take for granted now but it was eye opening listening to someone who hadn't seen us this season . He said the players must be shattered after the game and that it was a world away from last season

For me , I thought Duffy was good yesterday and buzzed around in a number of different positions. Fleck looks like someone who could easily play at a higher level and its amazing how well Jake Wright is doing. A real unsung hero

 

[Fulwood Blade]

I thought I'd give Duffy and Lafferty a mention.

Duffy has had a fair bit of criticism since joining us but I think he's getting better and better with each game. It's noticeable how a lot of our play goes through him and he's got a great delivery from free-kicks, reminds me of how Hodges used to bend them into the box.

After a dodgy first couple of games, I think Lafferty has been good too. Does the simple things well, good in the air and gets good crosses in.

We're still giving Scougs faint praise aren't we?

You do right to mention all three - thought Lafferty got forward well and Duffy is a different player when given the right to roam. Thought he and Fleck both did well when asked to play wide left and right near the end - All the midfield dug in, but as with a 4, it just doesn't suit us, but once again our "game management" was exceptional without us being gung-ho.

As for Scoogs - he was my MOM (Fleck a close second) - he didn't use to have any end product and perhaps his time away at Fleetwood helped, plus the coaching of CW & AK seems to be paying dividends. The by product is we now have another player putting pressure on others to do even better.

UTB