Alex Neil faces a stern test in his first home game in charge of Sunderland. We caught up with DonsAction to give us the lowdown on MK Dons, who are 3rd in the league going into today's fixture...
MK Dons are 3rd in the League. What's been the key to success so far this season?
I think the togetherness of the squad has massively helped. They’re all young and a similar age (apart from Lewington) so that unity has helped us massively.
You lost Russell Martin six days before the start of the season. It looked like a major blow, but what are your thoughts on his replacement Liam Manning?
Losing Martin when we did certainly wasn’t nice at all. But what Manning has done since coming in has been unbelievable. He really gets it, where we are as a club and where we want to go. I think you’d have been laughed at by all of our fans if you told them we’d be above you in the league coming into this fixture after you beat us in August…
Scott Twine has been the standout player this season. What type of player is he?
He’s the sort of player who can create something out of nothing, and that’s so valuable at this level. He has scored some ridiculous goals this season but also has popped up the right area for some of our less glamorous goals.
Do any Sunderland players worry you?
Ross Stewart is the first one to spring to mind. He bullied our defence in August and I’m fearful he’ll do the same again.
What are MK Dons' strengths and weaknesses?
Our main strength at the moment, is our style of play. Not only is it good to watch when it works, but it’s also something that’s helped us attract players to the club that we may not have been able to get a year ago. Our main weakness is probably our game management. It’s been better recently but I can’t help but feel that sometimes decision making from both coaches and players have cost us when they really shouldn’t have.
What's your score prediction for the game? Are you confident of adding to our misery?
I think we’ll win 2-0. Our away form is good and there’s a lot of unrest it appears at the Stadium of Light and I’d like to think we could take advantage of that.
Who will get the goals?
I can see Eisa and Corbeanu getting on the scoresheet for us, if Mo is on form he’s one of the best strikers in the league. As for Theo, I think he’ll a real handful for your defence who will probably be going through the process of understanding a new system.
Where do you think both sides will finish at the end of the season?
I think we’re both a good shout for the play offs, and I wouldn’t be surprised to be walking alongside Sunderland fans up Wembley Way in May.
