If you would like to get involved with the conversation on 100% Imps, you can join our Lincoln City v Milton Keynes Dons Match Thread! We have also published a Lincoln City v Milton Keynes Dons Quiz, which can be found at the bottom of each page. Every page view helps raise money for Lincoln City Football Club!
And now for the answers provided by James:
How long have you supported Milton Keynes Dons?
Since Wimbledon relocated to Milton Keynes in 2003.
Where did you finish last season?
19th*.
*finished on a points per game basis, but under the new management, I believe our final position would have been higher if we had finished the season.
What do you think of your manager?
Russ is brilliant. He has added life back the club. Whilst some fans had questioned the poor start and inconsistent season, not only have we brought an identity back to club we are seeing some of the best football since Karl Robinson left in 2016. What he has achieved in his first season in management having been hired during a relegation battle and having to deal with the impacts of Covid-19 is quite impressive. Not only have improvements been made on and off the field, he has also managed to slash the wage bill by 1/3 whilst improving the squad.
What are your hopes and expectations for the 2020/21 season?
Finish as strong as possible. This season was a transition season, clearing out the deadwood and introducing a new philosophy to the club. Since boxing day our form has been top half/play-off form, hopefully, that continues, and we finish in the top half.
One(s) to watch?
Harry Darling and Scott Fraser. Our young centre back, Darling, is more comfortable on the ball than most League One midfielders. He is happy to travel with the ball 30 yards as well as Cruyff turning a striker in his own box. Scott Fraser is a great no.10 with 11 league goals this season, very creative and can open up any defence.
Which teams you think will finish in the top six in League One?
Sunderland and Posh for automatic, with Hull, Blackpool, Portsmouth and Oxford completing the Top 6.
Which teams do you think will finish in the bottom four in League One?
Rochdale, Bristol Rovers, Northampton and AFC Wimbledon.
What are your thoughts on Lincoln City?
Overachieving for such a small club but you have done very well in recent years. The giant spike in attendances since the Cowley’s took over is quite something too.
What do you think the score will be?
I have absolutely no idea. We are in form, Lincoln are not. Which probably means a Lincoln win.
Random fact about your Club?
Despite having ‘no history’ in our 17 seasons we have won the same amount of Football League trophies as Lincoln have done in over 40, League Two title and the Football League Trophy. (I’m not counting non-league nonsense)
If you could steal one Lincoln City player for your own team, who would it be and why?
Jorge Grant looks like a tidy player. I also liked Joe Walsh when he was with us, but his injuries were always frustrating.
What are your proudest and most embarrassing moments as a Milton Keynes Dons supporter?
Proudest was beating Yeovil to reach the Championship in 2015. When the club relocated many thought we would fall down the leagues so to reach the Championship, with future England international Dele Alli in our side was special. Embarrassing? Most of the 2017/18 season. We lost our way completely in terms on management and recruitment, it was a hard watch.
Who would you say is your most underrated player?
Dean Lewington. Despite being 36 and playing 800 games for us, many fans think he has passed it because he is not as fast as a 20-year-old winger. He’s composed, aggressive and smart. An exceptional talent who has become the scapegoat for many if we lose yet proves doubters wrong almost every week.
Do you have a Supporters Trust and what role do they play at the Club?
Honestly, I don’t know. I don’t think so. But we have the Sports Education Trust which has 16 disability teams and works with over 60,000 local people. We also have the MKDSA, our Supports Association who are very active working with the club.
Which was your favourite match involving Milton Keynes Dons?
MK Dons 4-0 Man Utd. Humiliating the biggest club in the world like that will never be beaten.
Which was your least favourite match involving Milton Keynes Dons?
Weirdly enough beating AFC Wimbledon in our first encounter. The build-up, the media hype, the tense game, their fans behaviour. Everything about it was horrible. Except the goal at the end and the win.
Do you have a Former Players Association at Milton Keynes Dons?
Once again, I’m not sure. But we regularly host a legends game featuring some of our former players whilst raising money for charity.
What is the best thing about Milton Keynes?
For me, the location. I’m a fairly young lad but we have one of the greenest larger towns/cities in the country with so many parks and lakes. We are only 30 minutes from London, 45 from Birmingham, 90 from Manchester, whilst being surrounded by some pretty cool villages.
Regan Poole seems to have divided opinion amongst some Lincoln fans. What is your take on him?
He was a decent player and seemed like a nice chap, however, he didn’t fit into our defensive system. Not good enough on the ball to play RCB, but also not good enough attacking at RWB. It felt like we played him at RWB as we had no other options. I thought he was a decent enough player, but no suited to our system going forward. Whilst I liked the lad, we received a decent fee from you and replaced him with a more natural attacking RWB, it felt like very good business our end.
Have a go at our Lincoln City v Milton Keynes Dons Quiz below:
The third set of answers:https://t.co/DUPIrgBXVO#ImpsAsOne #ProudToBeImps #MKDons
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) April 13, 2021