Abject Dons implode against Bristol Rovers- where has it all gone wrong?

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Milton Keynes fell to another dismal defeat at the hands of Bristol Rovers, succumbing to a Antony Evans second-half penalty, leaving fans voicing their anger during a display appearing devoid of any passion, emotion or heart.

With over a quarter of the season played out and a possible 36 challenged for, MK Dons have failed to start anywhere near to the form or level of last campaign.

Amassing a grand total of just ten points leaves the Buckinghamshire outfit dwindling in 22nd position, steamrolling into a relegation battle. How the mighty have fallen…

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The season began full of promise. Despite losing their prize starlets Scott Twine and Harry Darling along with the powerhouse loanees, the latest incumbents set to work early and, after just 20 seconds of the new season, had thundered the Cambridge United crossbar.

The Dons would go on to lose 1-0 and from that point onwards the season has rather flattered to deceive.

Fast forward nine weeks and the picture has not improved. In fact, it has reached depths not seen since 2017.

The harsh reality is that fans are now voting with their feet as attendances have slumped. Supporters are choosing Masterchef over Manning-ball and the atmosphere inside the Stadium backs up the lacklustre nature of the displays.

Whilst there are many noticeable absentees from the Dons 22/23 season, one of the largest is arguably Conor Coventry.

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The combative midfielder, who was on loan from West Ham United, regularly took hold of matches and drove his men forward, providing that additional quality to a strong outfit.

The Republic of Ireland international has since broken into the Hammers first team squad and made appearances in the Europa Conference League and the Premier League, which shows the levels of ability the Dons must try and replace.

Filling the gaping hole left by the 22-year-olds departure has fallen on the shoulders of Bradley Johnson and Matt Smith.

Johnson, now 35, has clearly entered the twilight of his career and with every new performance, it becomes clearer by the minute why Blackburn decided that it was time to play other options. Smith, like Coventry aged just 22, can boast international pedigree having represented Wales on nineteen occasions.

Yet it is proving harder and harder by the minute to see what the Welsh FA’s scouts are telling manager Rob Page to keep selecting him each international window.

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It is easy to point fingers at individuals when a team is failing to live up to expectations, however when certain players week-after-week produce abject displays, it becomes hard not to.

Highlighting the situation is wing back Daniel Oyegoke. On loan from Brentford for the season, the defender has flattered to deceive at best, committing a catalogue of errors over the opening twelves matches.

In the most recent outing at home against Bristol Rovers, the young defender gave away possession an astonishingly high number of times, 24, completing just sixteen of his 35 attempted passes, which is a record low for a Dons player in the two seasons.

Oyegoke is clearly not trying to put in below-par performances, yet the same story is unfolding week after week. In fairness, any number of players could be chosen to be dragged over the hot coals.

It isn’t even a case of giving the credit to Bristol Rovers for their victory, as the Gas themselves looked a poor team, low on confidence.

Joey Barton’s men on this evidence will themselves be in a for a long slog of a season, even if this result does see Rovers rise fifteenth in the table.

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It seems almost inevitable that Owner Peter Winkelman will have reached the point where he needs to publicly “back or sack” his Head Coach, however it is clear to all that all a decision to change the coaching setup would do nothing in changing the current status quo.

All supporters ever want is their side to show desire and put in 100 per cent effort on matchdays. Fans can live with defeats if their players appear to be leaving everything they have on the field each week, however it is hard for that to seem the case when what is being produced is so woefully below any desired levels of performance.

Whether Liam Manning will still be in the position and given the chance to turn things around remains to be seen.

Miracles do happen, although this seems to be one rabbit even Harry Houdini may struggle to pull out of the hat…

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