MK Dons suffered a second successive league defeat with a 1-0 loss at Blackpool.
Sean Longstaff’s early drive was enough to give the Lancashire side their first win since their return to League One.
MK Dons Attack Has To Improve
MK Dons created little in response to their hosts’ goal. Ethan Ebanks-Landell came the closest when he glanced Gboly Ariyibi’s free-kick just wide.
The shining light on a poor day for the Dons was goalkeeper Lee Nicholls. He produced arguably a third straight Man of the Match performance to ensure it was just the single goal the visitors lost by.
Ousseynou Cissé was also a contender for the Dons’ best performer of the afternoon. The new signing from Tours FC put in a commanding performance in central midfield to keep Blackpool chances to a minimum.
Aside from the defending that brought about the goal, there were other aspects that will send early alarm bells ringing.
The most notable problem, which was also blindingly apparent in the opener against Wigan and the Carabao Cup game against Forest Green, is creation and conversion of chances.
In the Wigan game, few chances were created. To not score at home will have been disappointing for Robbie Neilson’s side.
In the cup game against Forest Green, more chances were created. However, conversion was the problem in this case. Having been held at 0-0 in normal time, it took the Dons until the 110th minute to break the deadlock. It was special when it came. Gboly Ariyibi curled in a beauty. However, to go to extra-time, and still only win by one goal, against a newly-promoted League Two team, will again have been bitterly disappointing.
Finally, and most recently, the Dons returned to poor creation against Blackpool.
Poor Performances From Front Three
Kieran Agard was the biggest culprit of this. Deployed out on the left wing for large chunks of the game, he struggled to adapt to the makeshift position. Playing on his weaker side meant that any crosses made didn’t have the power to reach his fellow forwards.
Robbie Muirhead made his first start of the season, and played as the central striker. Standing at 6ft 3″, he’s not a bad person to have attacking in the middle. However, when the crosses cannnot get to him in the first place, it makes it very hard for him to convert.
The aforementioned Ariyibi was the final of the front three against Blackpool. Despite looking sharp in mid-week, it was a disappointing showing from the Nottingham Forest loanee. He rarely threatened, and any crosses he did manage to swing in were easily dealt with by Blackpool. The winger was also given corner duty, which he may be taken off of in future. The majority failed to clear the first defender, to the great frustration of the travelling Dons fans.
MK Dons go up against Gillingham in their next game. The home fixture gives the Dons a greater chance of getting a league win recorded. Another loss, though, could spell danger for the season ahead.
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