Friday 2 April 2010

Dons hope to be at full strength

MK Dons hope to be back at full strength for the clash against Charlton yesterday. Striker Sam Baldock has missed 10 games through a knee injury, but trained on Thursday and could feature tomorrow. This is important as the side is short of attacking options.

Nicky Bailey and Deon Burton both remain doubtful, both having received injections, Bailey in the ankle and Burton in the knee. The return of Bailey would be important for the side, provided he can avoid outbursts of petulance. Randolph will remain between the sticks.

MK Dons are clearly a controversial club and I personally do not like franchise systems. One only has to look at the problems that have arisen in North American ice hockey where new franchises in places like Arizona have floundered, not surprisingly given that it is difficult to get in the mood when there is a heatwave outside. However, a lack of flexibility has meant that it has not been possible to transfer the franchise to Canadian cities like Hamilton, Ontario which would have a much more viable support base.

The real culprits in the Wimbledon saga in my view are the local council who made no effort to help them find a new ground once they vacated the inadequate Plough Lane. Once they were at Sainsbury's their fate was sealed. MK Dons have managed to build up a much bigger support base than I anticipated as I thought that most of those living in the 'city' would be adherents of big London clubs. Indeed, that may be the case, and MK Dons may be their second club or be preferred as a local alternative, particularly when taking the family to the game.

With Paul May off on a stag weekend in Prague, I will be covering the game myself tomorrow. I am going for a 2-1 win for the home side.

No comments: