Can MK Dons retain the bragging rights in the clash of the Dons?

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For the fans of MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon, the “biggest game of the season” has rolled around once again.

For MK Dons, hosting arch-rivals AFC Wimbledon is one of the first fixtures supporters immediately look out for when the seasonal calendar is announced, but given international selections within the visiting camp back in November, the delayed game will be the first time in 17 months that the fans will have been able to see the two sides lock horns.

Since the last derby game seen by fans, a lot has changed for both sides, especially the Buckinghamshire outfit. Three different managers, two of those initiating a complete squad overhaul, to the extent that 39 players have come and gone in this period.

As confirmed by MK Dons manager Liam Manning in his pre-match press conference, the club have accepted an undisclosed offer from Swansea City for goalkeeper Andrew Fisher, which will see him miss out on the fixture ahead of linking up with former boss Russell Martin.

His move had been rumoured for weeks and will finally bring an end to the saga that will allow both sides to move forward.

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If the other transfer speculation is to believed, there could be further departures from Stadium MK as a number of Championship suitors are queuing up for the chance to prize away the Dons’ key assets.

With rumoured interest in as many as six players including Matt O’Riley, Harry Darling and Scott Twine, combined with the sales of Laurie Walker and Charlie Brown last week, it looks to be another high turnover in the playing staff during the month.

For every outbound move, there will need to be an arrival given how MK Dons have chosen to build their squad, using versatile players able to cover a multitude of positions rather than a large squad with numerous players in reserve on each position.

Until replacements can be found, it is imperative that those filling in can “step up” given the experience of those waiting in the wings. With Fisher a confirmed absentee, Manning will have to call upon the services of Franco Ravizzolli in between the sticks.

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The 24-year-old Argentinian, who can boast a youth career spent at River Plate, had only previously played in England for National League South side Eastbourne Borough.

Since earning the role as emergency reserve in Milton Keynes, he has only played three professional football matches and these were in the Papa John’s Trophy. To highlight the level and status of the tournament, Charlton Athletic’s average league attendance is 18,017, and in a Quarter-Final match of the competition last week, the game only attracted a crowd of 1,653.

In terms of possible incomings, it is critical that a new goalkeeper arrives as they currently sit with only one on their books, meaning Ronnie Sandford, the under 18s goalkeeper will warm the bench.

Whilst the search is ongoing, there have been strong suggestions of signing two midfielders, firstly Odin Bailey from Birmingham City and secondly a loan for Conor Coventry from West Ham.

For these to go through though, it is unlikely that either would happen unless there is an outgoing or two from the same position.

With MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon entering the contest off the back of poor weekends, which saw MK draw 1-1 away to Accrington Stanley despite playing for an hour against 10 men and Wimbledon slipping up dramatically against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup Third Round, there will be strong aims to leave what happened in the background and gain the latest bragging rights, possibly in the hottest, most highly anticipated battle in recent years.

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