Newport will look to make it back-to-back wins at Rodney Parade when they welcome Mike Williamson’s MK Dons this Saturday. The Exiles hope to build on their FA Cup first-round success, with Coughlan praising the team for their professional performance against Oldham.
It has been two weeks since our 2-0 away win at Gillingham, with cup games against West Ham U21 and Oldham Athletic giving Coughlan plenty of food for thought ahead of Saturday’s clash.
We have never registered a league win against MK Dons, and Coughlan and his team will be eager to set that record straight on Saturday afternoon.
Manager’s Comments
The Newport gaffer, Graham Coughlan spoke highly about MK Dons in his pre-match press conference: "MK Dons are one of the favourites in the division," he confirmed.
"Although on paper we shouldn't be competing with the likes of Gillingham and MK Dons, the atmosphere, the workrate the lads put in, brings the advantage level. Particularly our fans who help create that 'fortress', they are up there with some of the best in the league."
"It'll be an exciting game, but a big challenge. I know for a fact we are all looking forward too it."
MK Dons' Mike Williamson praised Graham Coughlan and our style ahead of Saturday’s game. He said:"They’ve got a style, and again, that willingness, that hard work, you can see they’ve got that in abundance, and we will need to match that physicality and that intensity.
“It’s going to be a tough encounter; we know what to expect, and that’s what we’ve been planning for.”
Opposition Form
MK Dons started the season in fine form before a run of bad results saw them relieve Graham Alexander of his managerial duties. The Buckinghamshire-based club then recruited Gateshead manager Mike Williamson, and it looks as though their season is back on track.
MK will arrive at Rodney Parade in good form, having registered back-to-back league wins for the first time since August. The Dons defeated Bradford 4-1 before securing a dramatic 3-2 win over Swindon at Stadium MK in their last league game.
The Dons have not had such good fortunes on the road this campaign, however, with their last away league win coming at Colchester on August 19th. Their last match saw them crash out of the FA Cup thanks to a 3-2 defeat away at League One strugglers Reading.
Max Dean has been in fine form for the Dons, hitting the net five times in his last five appearances. Mike Williamson has favoured the 19-year-old ahead of Mo Eisa since taking charge, and he is likely to lead the line on Saturday.
Jack Tucker, who has been a key defender for the Dons this season, is likely to miss the game after being subbed off with an injury in their FA Cup tie against Reading. Club talisman Dean Lewington also made a return from injury in that tie, and Williamson will hope to give him some more game-time on Saturday.
Ticket Info
You can find ticket information for the MK Dons game here:
|
Age Band |
Seated Advance |
Seated Walk up |
Terrace Advance |
Terrace Walk up |
100 Club Advance |
100 Club Walk up |
|
Adult |
£24 |
£26 |
£21 |
£23 |
£31 |
£33 |
|
Senior |
£20 |
£22 |
£19 |
£21 |
£26 |
£28 |
|
Young Adult 16-21 |
£18 |
£20 |
£15 |
£16 |
£22 |
£24 |
|
Under 16 |
£12 |
£14 |
£12 |
£14 |
£16 |
£18 |
|
Under 12 |
£10 |
£12 |
£12 |
£12 |
£14 |
£16 |
|
Under 6 |
£0 |
£0 |
£0 |
£0 |
£7 |
£9 |
Tickets will be available to buy from the ticket office on the day of the match, however a £2 charge will be added.
Tickets are available to buy here.
Last Time Out
The last time we met MK Dons was in last season’s EFL Trophy at Stadium MK. The hosts led when Darragh Burns scored an overhead kick from close range.
MK doubled their lead when a long-range effort from Daniel Oyegoke was deflected, allowing Matthew Dennis to squeeze the ball past Nick Townsend.
Experienced striker Will Grigg rounded off the scoring for MK in the 77th minute, latching on to a through-ball before cooly lifting the ball past Townsend.
Newport were handed a late consolation when Jack Tucker converted past his own keeper in the 85th minute, but it was too little, too late, as the visitors sealed a 3-1 win.
Head to Head
Our first encounter with MK Dons was in 2016, a 3-2 losing effort in the League Cup. We have only played The Dons twice in league games, both of which were losing efforts in the 2018-19 season, a year where MK achieved a dramatic last-day promotion over Mansfield.
Our solitary victory in our five encounters with MK Dons came when we defeated them 3-0 in the Football League Trophy at Stadium MK in 2020.
Played for Both
All eyes will be on Cameron Norman when he takes to the field Saturday afternoon. The defender left Rodney Parade for MK this summer and has been a regular feature in the Dons starting 11, impressing fans with his committed performances. He made 100 appearances for us, establishing himself as a fan favourite during his stay at Rodney Parade.
Another MK Dons starter who has spent time in South Wales is Alex Gilbey. Gilbey spent time on loan with us in 2013 and is now in his second spell in Buckinghamshire. He has played 15 times for the Dons so far this season, hitting the net three times.
Other notable players to wear the shirts of both teams include Scott Twine, Nicky Maynard, Ed Upson, and Regan Poole.
Notable Events
Before kick-off Rodney Parade will observe a minutes silence, where by both clubs will pay their respects to those who have selflessly given so much to our country over many years. You can read more about this here.
Another thing to make note of ahead of tomorrow's clash is that the fixture is a Clwb Spytty game, meaning Clwb Spytty members can get free entry, with the accompnying adult price being only £15.