On arrival at Stadium MK for my third visit, my first thought was once again envy as when finished (n.b. the upper tier still has no seating) it might comfortably provide a World Cup venue. But on previous occasions, the sun had shone with in excess of 12,000 in attendance. This time, inside were merely 7,443; smeared thinly around its rim like bacteria in an outsize coffee cup that had been placed on a wet towel, today doubling as a boggy car park.

Earlier this week, Joe Dunne had praised our faithful whilst commenting that; at last, WHCS is “starting to feel more like home”. Yes, we do know WHCS “is too big for us”, but not on this monumental scale. To compensate for lack of atmosphere, the public announcer couldn’t have been noisier had we had individual speakers sewn into our beany hats. We tried to make some noise, and for most of the game did out sing the franchise, but even ignoring what happened on the pitch during the 90 minutes, it was a ghastly experience, dour, soulless and uninviting.

The initial pattern of the game mirrored that of Coventry, comprising two sides, playing good football, snuffing each other out in midfield. Indeed, once again, after the quarter hour, my best pal again commented that he hadn’t once heard the referee’s whistle. This time I don’t attribute that to his propensity towards deafness, as the first quarter was lacking incident. Bond starting for Bean deprived us of much flair and imagination, and Morrison might as well been anonymous. I was never a fan of Odejayi, but would welcome him back on this performance. Clinton, your time is up. How we missed Jabo, but we can’t blame MKD for his absence, as we would have done the same.

Whilst Sullivan looked commanding in recent games, him snatching the ball from the air isn’t half as hard as shot stopping. I think we were under a false illusion after his clean sheet against Bury. Here, he had a nightmare game, and conceding so many goals in so few games does begs questions, not the least about bringing back Mark Cousins. But it might have been 10-1 had Williams still been behind the sticks, so great was the gulf in class between the sides once the game got going after the early cat and mouse respect.

If Sullivan had a nightmare, then the usually very dependable Tom Eastman had a full scale horror encounter, first gifting a penalty and then later a goal. Dunne rightfully substituted him on 69 minutes, before he either lost utter confidence or got sent off (as twice he might have). Moments before, the exuberant Gavin Massey had rightfully been sent off. I wish Joe Dunne would start him in the absence of Sanchez Watt and give Gavin more confidence. Gavin has twice come out of the bench starting blocks like a man on a mission and this time he did get sent off. The one bit of encouragement was that on-loan full back Potts looked class, but I can’t help feeling that the absence of Rose and Bean disrupted our defence. Bond looked lost, and can’t effectively replace Bean, who does seem to understand the Idiosyncrasies of Rose. No Bean also put more pressure on Tom Eastman. Magnus and Wilson again had poor games, and overall it was a disaster just waiting to happen against a slick Don’s side, deserved of their second league position.

I don’t blame Joe Dunne, as it is still too early in his managerial tenure, but we currently don’t appear to have any Plan B. It was all working so well a month ago with our two Gunner’s loanees and Jabo. But take Watt and Jabo out of the equation, and give Bean (or Eastmond) a deserved rest, and it is back to the ineffective side of the latter John Ward era, and we know its lack of capabilities. I am looking forward to next Tuesday (Essex SC at Brentwood) and Saturday, under 18's v Chelsea, given that the “First XI” cannot lose either. Then on resumption of the league programme, let’s give a few of the kids a run in the First XI and freshen it up.

I would go back to 4 4 2 and bring in Jackson Ramm for Wilson, Thompson for Magnus, but keep Eastman and Potts in the back four. Then a midfield of Sears (playing deeper), Eastmond, Bean and Drey Wright (in the absence of Massey). With Jabo and Henderson up front. Put some youngsters on the bench too. Give Lapado a run from the bench. Time for major overhaul, and we only have a few weeks to make decisions before the transfer window. Oh, and I didn't mention Woody above nor in my future team. Was he even on the pitch in Buckinghamshire? Let him go Joe, and find another Captain with a bit of fight.

Photo: Action Images

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