What Swindon Town can expect from MK Dons

Scott Lindsey’s side will be looking to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat against their rivals, AFC Wimbledon.

After a disappointing play-off campaign last season, the former Swindon manager dropped a division with the aim of getting the Dons up.

But what can Swindon expect on Saturday?

MK Dons’ setup

Despite the change of manager, Lindsey has kept a similar style to what Mike Williamson was playing at the club, with a 3-4-2-1 being the formation of both managers.

Despite Robins fans thinking they may be familiar with how their manager may get his team to play because of his time at Swindon, the way he’s changed as a coach since that period is outstanding. Many may remember non-progressive, slow and boring football, but since he moved to Crawley it’s like he changed overnight.

MK Dons will look to keep the ball and have most of the possession, whilst trying to be progressive and making things happen as soon as possible, even if that means going direct.

They are 3rd for the most average possession (61.3%), have the second most accurate passes per match (443.2) but have an average amount of touches in the opposition box (274), but that will only improve and is quite low due to Williamson's time at the club earlier in the season.

The two attacking midfielders that play behind the lone striker (Normally Alex Gilbey and either Joe White or Tommy Leigh) are crucial to their build up and goalscoring. Gilbey has scored five goals in the league this season as he loves to get into the box and get involved in the attack, becoming another striker. When he pushes up, one of the central midfielders fills the gap that he’s left, which gives them multiple options going forward.

The lone central midfielder whilst Lindsey was at Crawley was Jay Williams and now it’s Connor Lemonheigh-Evans who fills that gap and is a completely different player to who was at the now-League One side.

He will not be in action on Saturday as he got two yellow cards against Wimbledon in their FA Cup tie, which could be end up being a potential weak spot Swindon could look to attack.

In the dugout

Lindsey is the man in charge of MK, someone who Town fans will know quite well. After leaving the County Ground for the Broadfield Stadium, he kept the Red Devils up by three points. Despite being favourites for relegation, they mounted a promotion charge and defeated Crewe Alexandra in the play-off final at Wembley.

Lindsey has only beaten Swindon once in three league games (Image: Andy Crook)

He left his post in West Sussex earlier this season and dropped a division to join the team he defeated in the play-offs just last season, which was a surprise to many as they thought he could have gone higher in the pyramid.

Key players

The quality that the opposition prowess is some of the best in the division. Joe Tomlinson is another squad member that Town fans will know as he spent two seasons on loan at the Robins, both being ended early due to injury. With three goals and two assists in the league so far, the left wingback is dangerous and is one to keep an eye on.

Gilbey was mentioned earlier and he is another standout player in a star-studded midfield. He has performed well in the fourth division for two seasons previously, and at the age of 29, he has much-needed experience at this level.

Former Crawley players Liam Kelly and Laurence Maguire are two players who played under the new boss at the Stadium MK are crucial to their success.