The Voice - Match preview #1: MK Dons vs Bradford City Saturday 10th August 2024 @ 3:00pm

I’d drop Smallwood due to the fact that he’d rather pass back than look to pass forward. That’s why he fitted in so well with the possession based football of Mark Hughes and wouldn’t get into a side who like to play on the front foot. Biggest disappointment for me this season, was his instigation of the contract extension.

 

To really add to the excitement ahead of Saturday - we haven't scored in, never mind won, our first league game since Jack Payne's winner at Shrewsbury in the 2018/19 relegation season. Meaning Michael Collins was the last manager to deliver three points in our first league game of the season. The 1-0 loss at Crawley last year ended a run of four 0-0 draws. Time flies when you're having fun!

 

Well on the evidence of the Alty game, we won’t be scoring on Saturday.
I’ll stand by what I say in that this team and the way it’s set up with ineffective wing backs will simply not score enough goals to win automatic promotion.

 

Not sure how you say our wing backs are ineffective Halliday has to be one of the best in the division Wright hasn’t played there much but we won 6 of the last 7.
Your right though we don’t score enough goals but with Pattison fit and raring to go and Walker fit from the start the promising Kavanagh getting his first season and Smith who scored a few as back up there should be plenty from them Cook is still here and Pointon netted a few in the run in as well. I think we will get enough this season the question marks at the other end of the pitch. They will soon be answered

 

That's fair enough but you picked 4 midfielders. Sarcevic, Pointon, Walker and Pattison. At least one of them can't make your starting line up unless they aren't playing in the midfield 3.

For what it's worth though, I think the 3 GA selects will be Smallwood, Sarcevic and Walker with Pattison and Pointon warming the bench.

 

The point with the wing backs is that much of our forward play if not all of it comes from those wide positions but sadly the delivery from both Halliday and Wright is not good enough.
Halliday is a very able defender, not so certain what Wright offers

 

I'll be happy with another 0 - 0 at MK Dons, obviously I'd prefer a win but it certainly wouldn't be a disastrous result there.

 

I'm hoping Walker and Pattison are rotated this season to try combat their poor injury records, I suppose Sarcevic is probably in a similar boat. All the midfielders should get a fair amount of game time this season, I hope Alexander isn't to shy to make early subs either.

 

Yeah, that central midfield spot is definitely our strongest area with the 4 of them, all good players, to rotate.

 

Have they got the goal scoring prowess of Smallwood and Gilliead though?

 

Spot on. Halliday not great in the attacking half. Hope Wright can deliver something but not confident on his showing in that position last season.

 

He might go one up top, but you’re probably right.

 

Without checking, I doubt either had the attacking input of Tony Mac. We need both to get down the line and cross into the box. I feel our lack of scoring opportunities is impacted by both looking to pass back inside for someone else to put the ball into the box or work intricate one-twos which come to nothing.

 

Smallwood will definitely play behind two of them so here's hoping for an upturn in output once he's not got Gillead alongside him.

 

He said he likes two doesn't he, I'm assuming that's how we've ended up with wing backs.

Unless he goes to a 3 and Pointon could perhaps play on the right as an inverted forward. It probably stifles Kavanagh but could be good for someone like Young to be able to cut in and get shots off. That's always an option maybe.

 

Fingers crossed.

 

For anyone travelling down on Saturday, please allow extra time as there is a big event on at the National Bowl, Chase and Status are doing a big summer gig there.
Apparently it gets very bad congestion wise and gates open for that from noon so heavy traffic expected around area.

 

Interesting stat.

3 of the last 4 seasons, the team whom finished in the play offs went on to win the league the season after. Cheltenham 20/21, (4th 19/20), Forest Green 21/22 (6th 20/21), Stockport 23/24 (4th 22/23). Leyton Orient bucked the trend in 22/23 though Northampton were promoted after finishing 4th year before.

MK Dons is a tough start. A draw here would be great.

MK shipped an incredible 68 goals last season though the signing of Sam Sherring from Northampton looks a solid signing.

 

Also it's Community Shield at Wembley.
Man u v Man c
Expect the M1 South to be rammed from the junction with the M6.