Milton Keynes Dons Odds: 10/1 Last Five Seasons
2005/06 - 22 (League One, Relegated), 2004/05 - 20 (League One), 2003/04 - 24 (Championship, Relegated), 2002/03 - 10 (Championship, as Wimbledon), 2001/02 - 9 (Championship, as Wimbledon). 2005/06 Cup Progress
FA Cup Third Round vs Southampton (a) - lost 4-3.
Carling Cup First Round vs Norwich City (h) - lost 1-0 after extra time.
Football League Trophy Southern Section Quarter Final vs Colchester United (h) - lost 2-1. Top Goal Scorer 2005/06: Izale McLeod (striker) - 18 goals. Players In
Sean O'Hanlon (Swindon Town - Tribunal), Jon Hastings (Tooting & Mitcham - Nominal), Drissa Diallo (Sheffield Wednesday - Free), Jon-Paul McGovern (Sheffield Wednesday - Free), Jamie Smith (Bristol City - Free). Players Out
Wade Small (Sheffield Wednesday - Nominal), Malvin Kamara (Cardiff City - Free), Nick McKoy (Cardiff City - Free). Since Wimbledon ceased to exist and MK Dons took over their mantle, the club has struggled in the Football League, suffering relegation twice in the past three seasons. Desperate to stop the rot, Chairman Pete Winkelman has brought in manager Martin Allen to instil some fighting spirit and a winning attitude into the team. Allen quit as manager of Brentford after seeing them fail in last season's League One play offs and will relish the chance to take the Dons back up the divisions. However, he may need to do so without leading goal scorer Izale McLeod, after revealing he won't stand in the striker's way should he receive an offer to play at a higher level. McLeod, with 18 goals in each of his last two seasons at the National Hockey Stadium was the subject of a 1 million plus bid from Championship side Wolves in January. The Dons have been busy in the transfer market, shoring up a defence which conceded 66 goals last season. Highly rated Sean O'Hanlon arrives from fellow relegated side Swindon Town, while Drissa Diallo was signed on a free transfer from Sheffield Wednesday. Attacking right winger Jon-Paul McGovern was another free transfer signing from the Owls as Allen looked to improve the supply line to McLeod. Allen missed out on Huddersfield's Pawel Abbott who decided to remain with the Terriers and fight for his place. Abbott scored 46 goals in 106 appearances for Huddersfield, but started just one game in the last three months of the 2005/06 campaign. Swansea City also rejected a 100,000 bid from the Dons for goalkeeper Willy Gueret. Verdict
Martin Allen turned Brentford from relegation candidates to play-off contenders during his first season in charge and could do the same with the Dons. If the club manages to keep hold of Izale McLeod they have a realistic chance of winning League Two outright at odds of 10/1. |
