MK Dons are still in contention for automatic promotion, despite a run of four games without a win.
Experiencing this bad patch towards the business end of the season might mean the Dons come to regret the many leads they have squandered this season. The Dons repeatedly struggle in the second-half, something they need to rectify for this final push.
They have dropped a whopping 19 points from winning positions this season, across seven games. Five out of these seven games, MK were ahead at half time. While they still have four games remaining to recover from this bad spell, these dropped points will be in the minds of players and fans should they fail to finish in the top three.
For the most part, the Dons start games really well, with high energy and intensity from the first whistle. They have found themselves ahead at half-time in 21 of their league games this season.
If the table only took into account goals scored in the first-half, MK Dons would be top of it, with 86 points. This would be ten more than their current total. In addition, they would be 20 points clear of second place in this first-half form table.
MK Dons have scored 45 goals in the first-half across 42 games during this season, demonstrating their unbelievable form in the first 45′. Also only conceding 16 in the first-half of these games shows a form they will want to carry into the final 45′.
While making up tables to put your team at the top might feel nice, they unfortunately do not reflect their true performance.
The Dons’ second-half performances can be frustrating to watch, often undoing much of their good work.
A 2-2 draw with Grimsby Town at the end of January showed this clearly. With the Dons two up at the break, it seemed as though the second-half would be plain sailing. The Mariners equalised with just over 20 minutes to play, making it a nervy finish for the away side.
A form table looking at just the second-half tells a contrasting story. The Dons would sit in tenth place on 60 points, 16 less than their current total. They have conceded 26 goals in the second period, scoring 32.
Another disappointing example of this was in another 2-2 draw, this time against Chesterfield. Two goals to the good thanks to top scorer Callum Paterson and a stunner from Rushian Hepburn-Murphy, the second-half should have been more of the same for the Dons.
What followed was a complete change in energy from the home side. The Spireites were allowed back into the game, culminating in Will Grigg’s last minute equaliser against his former club.
If MK Dons had held on to even half of these dropped points, they would be top of the league. Instead, the Dons find themselves seven points behind leaders Bromley and just two points above the playoffs.
MK Dons may come to heavily regret these dropped points with a tough end to the season and four must-win games.
The Dons host Bromley next who just need four points from their final four games to secure a historic promotion. A visit to Crewe Alexandra follows, who sit just two points outside the playoff places.
Perhaps MK Dons can recover their form and secure an automatic place. However, if they are unable to, they will surely look back on these missed opportunities.
