Mark Jackson delivers the Dons a much-needed three points for Christmas

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New Head Coach Mark Jackson gave MK Dons supporters a late Christmas present, marking his debut with a 1-0 victory against Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day.

A stunning set-piece volley from Daniel Harvie was enough to sink Forest Green, as Jackson became the Milton Keynes’ first Head Coach to secure all three points in their first full-time match in charge since 2016.

Whilst some are calling it a brave appointment given his lack of first-team level management experience, Jackson does bring a wealth of knowledge working in Leeds United’s Academy setup, going unbeaten and winning the 2020/21 Premier League 2 title.

Such success saw Jesse Marsch promote Jackson to his backroom staff and was widely credited as a key cog in United’s eventual survival in the top-flight last campaign.

Admitting on his arrival that new players and fresh ideas would be required to turn around the situation the Buckinghamshire outfit find themselves in, his first game in charge saw no left-wing selections or players recalled to the squad who had found themselves out of favour, it was the same formation that Liam Manning had used in his final weeks, yet this time Jackson’s troops seemed to play with a new lease of life.

The passing and distribution out of the backline was noticeably quicker and slicker, there was more emphasis on building through the flanks and the pressing to-a-man seemed to carry more intent and proved fruitful.

This is no slight on his predecessor Liam Manning, it was just not working, and a change can lead to different displays from the same familiar faces.

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Whilst the positives were clear to see, it was not all plain sailing and the Dons had to weather a heavy, heavy storm during the first half as Jamie Cumming had to produce a catalogue of superb saves to keep his clean sheet intact.

Three times in as many minutes the Chelsea loanee had to be on full-alert to deny a string of Rovers players, most notably Jamille Matt when his header was expertly saved onto the post.

Mark Jackson will have seen his side be rescued through the heroics of his number one, but the worry will be the longevity of his stay with the struggling League One side.

Casting the mind back twelve months, Cumming was recalled from his loan spell at Gillingham, themselves were marooned at the wrong end of the table and in exactly the same plight as the Dons are today.

Should Cumming remain at Stadium MK and not find himself returning to his parent club Chelsea, it will be a significant first hurdle overcome.

Last year the young Englishman had a xGOT of 12.24, preventing over 12 goals that should have been scored, the highest in the Football League. This season his stats are still impressive with 5.68.

25: WOW! Jamie Cumming should take a bow. The number one keeps us level once again with another brilliant double-save.

⚪️ 0-0 ⚫️

— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) December 26, 2022

Regarding the immediate changes that can be made within the squad, it seems highly likely that the other four loanees will all return to their parent clubs and Jackson will use his wealth of Academy contacts to bring in a number of top prospects to help his side move up the League table.

With Daniel Ogeyeke and Joshua Kayode, it is easy to see why the pair will be returned given their lack of game time and their abject, bordering on woeful displays when offered the chances.

The other two loanees within the side, Henry Lawrence and Louie Barry, have at the very least offered their side an option off the bench in the first half of the season, but when you are limited to just five loanees in your matchday squad, it is imperative that these are given to players who can improve your team and are better than the calibre of player who could normally afford on a permanent basis.

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It is clear for all to see that the Dons are lacking pace and combativeness within their side, given the fact they possess a number of technically gifted players, the squad feels very one-dimensional.

With Jackson’s strong ties to Leeds United, having played for them as well as worked his way up the coaching ladder, it would be a surprise should he not look at turning to the talent he already knows of and the talent he has helped nurture sin the last couple of seasons to address these holes.

Names being touted to travel down the M1 to join their former coach are Amari Miller, a quicky and tricky winger who has played previously on loan at Birmingham City, and Sean McGurk, a combative midfielder who is looking to make his first foray outside of academy football into the first-team professional game.

Whoever Milton Keynes look to bolster their ranks with recruiting and who they look to ship out, only time will tell whether Jackson is a hit or miss. Having appointed United’s set-piece coach and scoring a set-piece winner, perhaps it is as simple as ABC…

Jacko's Dons are up and running! pic.twitter.com/3uzSDvXHRt

— Milton Keynes Dons (@MKDonsFC) December 26, 2022

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