I'm sure Dawsey spelt out his reasoning for rotation in a recent interview. It did involve the length of the games this season and perhaps opposition dependent.Yes, I don't think there is need for panic this early. Two games in so still plenty of time. As mundane as the first half was, there was lots to be positive about in the second half. One of the early concerns for me regarding Dawes is his quite frank statement about rotating players. I really don't think this approach will work even though he sees it as quite a positive. The first half seemed almost experimental until the big boys came on and changed the game. Rotating players on a weekly basis could get him in all sorts of trouble, just pick the best team you've got and don't rotate for the sake of it.
Same here.I’m a bit old fashioned and prefer Ronnie Moore 4-4-2.
I didn't think we could have done much more. Dons went deep so it was difficult at times to break them down but we still did on a few occasions. We could actually have won that game had we been able to convert those two chances. Hopefully it will click a bit more on Tues.Jennings roved intelligently between the lines and Dennis occasionally dropped back in there too, and that certainly helped the creativity, but, even when we were on top, I felt we still lacked that bit of extra pace to get behind them and really open them up
Yes I was probably doing Walker in particular a disservice, when he’s fit he should be the answer. That’s if he ever gets fit for any length of time..The issue with the midfield holding role is that Walker and Merrie are not yet fit enough and O'Connor is now at right back so we are having to play sumbody there who's not ideal for that position
For me, O’Connor has be right back.The concern with Walker is that he appears to have let himself go over the summer break added weight and appears less fit than when he played last season. I’d have reservations that he’ll ever be ready.
Dawes did use Merrie at the base of a diamond a couple of times last season, but unsure it’s his best position. Could McAlear play a defensive midfield role or do we give up using O’Connor as right-back and put him in midfield?
I’d say a fair few of those 11 were the result of attempted crosses that were easily blocked but, with bit more pace at our disposal, they could’ve been dangerous crosses against back-peddling defenders. I thought much of our attacking play was a bit pedestrian but we did still create chances and I agree we’re progressing.That said, shots mean nothing if they don’t turn into goals but hopefully it means we’re on the right track. We had 11 corners to MK Dons 3 yesterday and still couldn’t score
Fingers crossed re Walker. I thought Lewis tidied up a few threats Saturday and read the game OK.For me, O’Connor has be right back.
If promotion‘s the aim, my midfield enforcer would have to be either a fully fit Walker or someone we haven’t yet signed.
We could probably get by with any of Merrie, O’Connor, an in-form Lewis or maybe McAlear in that role but that’s all we’d be doing, getting by.