MK Dons 1-1 Crewe Alex 24/25 Review - White Knight

Would you believe this was the first draw between these 2 sides at Stadium: MK since 2009? Honestly, it was a reasonably decent watch, with 810 passes attempted. Both teams got it down and tried to play football, both teams tried generate attacks and push for the win. But both teams have lost the winning touch of late and it showed in a game that finished level. Here is my review of the final Crewe game of 2024:

First Half Struggles

I don't know why, but this team has real issues in the first half of away games. In 12 games now, they are 0-6-6 with 0 goals scored and 6 conceded if games only lasted 45 minutes. Obviously they don't, as we'll discuss. But you can't help but feel they are making things hard for themselves by not being more proactive in the opening sections of games on the road.

Today was more of the same, as they struggled to create many clear chances in the first half and they went in behind thanks a Joe White(who else) strike from distance. Part of their struggles was the lack of urgency off the ball, where they allowed MK all the time and space in the world to knock the ball around. The tactics were baffling and played right into MK's hands.

Second Half Improvements

All the above being said, they thankfully are a much better team in the 2nd half of away games. They would be 7-4-1 if games were only based on the final 45 minutes and that record was in full evidence today.

They came out energised and showed far more tempo. It paid off as they found the equaliser. They even had chances to win the game later on, but couldn't quite manage to get one over the line. If they could replicate their 2nd half displays across whole games, then the wins will start rolling in.

A Set Piece

The Alex actually scored from a set piece, a corner no less. And what was noticeable today was the quality of the deliveries were far better. Ok, finding Crewe heads remains an issue, but thankfully one did drop to a red shirt. And the player in that red shirt was Jamie Knight-Lebel.

I won't go so far as to say they've badly missed him, but he's clearly a better defender than James Conolly and he was in the right place to stab home the equaliser and his first goal in professional football. His exclusion from the first team in recent weeks has been a bit bizarre(do they know a recall is imminent?), but it was nice to see him get his moment to shine.

Solid

What was also nice from today was that the Alex looked back to their defensive best. The decision to switch to a back 4 after 60 minutes at Cheltenham cost them, but they looked solid as ever in this game, giving MK just 2 shots on target and 0.64 of xG. Given the spanking they got on their last visit to this ground, I'll gladly take the point and defensive resilience showed.

Ref Assessment

I can see why MK fans will feel he was heavily biased towards the Alex, as they did get a few favourable calls. Although I would argue all that is cancelled out by the failure to award a penalty on Bogle late on. He wasn't great, but wasn't the worst given it was his EFL debut.

Management Assessment

I didn't mind the starting XI, but the first half tactics were a mistake. And why did they not make their first sub until the 78th minute and their 2nd set until 2 minutes from time. I get the team were doing well, but with games coming every 3 days at the moment, I think asking 7 players to basically play 2 full games is a mistake.

Player Assessments

Filip Marschall

Watching the goal back, for me he could do better. It's well hit, but it's from a fair distance out and it's not right in the bottom corner. Being hyper-critical, I'd like to see him get down quicker and save it.

Jamie Knight-Lebel

Reacted really quickly to stab home the equaliser, I thought he was solid defensively, aside from the tactical booking he got in the 2nd half.

Mickey Demetriou

Another so-so game from him, he wasn't poor but yet again, I'm worried they're going to burn him out come the end of the season given how much mileage he's putting in currently. I get dropping him for a game or 2 seems nonsensical, but if it gives him more energy in the final stretch, is it not worth it?

Zac Williams

MK's tactics gave him more freedom to charge forward, which was good to see. I just think he needs to be looking to do that on a more regular basis.

Ryan Cooney

Kept Tomlinson quiet on the right and whilst he's doing fine defensively, he continues to not really be enough of a factor going forward. That isn't a criticism, more something I'd like to see him improve on.

Matus Holicek MOTM

Outstanding. He was heavily involved in everything good the Alex did going forward. He bust his ass off, snapping into tackles and driving forward where he could. He's starting to become consistent, which is a great sign for the Alex.

Max Sanders

Sanders made the most of his recall, putting in another good display. He completed 43 of 51 passes, the most on the team.

Joel Tabiner

More involved than normal, which was good to see. He needs to really kick on in 2025, as the Alex's promotion hopes might rest on him doing so.

Max Conway

He did have some good balls into the box, but it was more of the same from him. A mostly solid display, but he continues to take too many touches around the penalty area.

Shilow Tracey

He had moments where he threatened to end his away goal involvement drought, but alas he was denied by a fine save in the 2nd half.

Omar Bogle

Struggled. He did have a reasonable effort in the first half which he might have done better with, but whilst he put in a lot effort chasing and pressing, he couldn't muster much in an attacking sense.

Subs:

Chris Long

Walked on, trotted around a bit but contributed little in the short amount of time he was on.

Jack Powell

On for 6 minutes, nothing to say about him.

Charlie Finney

Ditto.

Owen Lunt

Ditto x 2.

Overall Verdict

A point gained from a tough place to visit for sure, but all these draws are making it tough to assess how they're doing. 2 defeats from 20, but just 2 wins from their last 9 now. They're 7th and just 2 points inside the play-offs, with teams queuing up behind them. But also, had they won today they'd have been 2nd. They need a big January, on and off the pitch. Their promotion hopes might rest on it.