Tuesday 18th April 2023 - 19:45
Live on Charlton TV worldwide
Referee
Sam Allison - previously officiated us away at Doncaster last season where we won 0-1
Introduction
After a half decent run of form where we won 6-0 at home against Shrewsbury and getting a win at home against Burton, we come back down to earth with a 6-0 thumping of our own. It could be a good thing as some people were beginning to think that this squad is potentially capable of pushing for promotion next season. Well don’t be fooled and don’t fall into that trap. The majority are not and we need a clear out. The league position of the last two seasons suggests exactly that. Now all we can do is hope those here, even if for another 3 weeks, show pride and finish the season strongly. We came up against the best side in the league who will end up getting promoted, but it was a lesson to show the gulf. It feels like all I ever do is write previews against our next opposition, we haven’t played Milton Keynes on a weekend since February 2018! So next up is another midweek fixture against the side from Buckinghamshire.
Opposition
Position: 19th
Manager: Mark Jackson
Last 6: WWDDDD
Charlton Team News
Let’s try to be positive?! We’ve got a game in a couple of days to put right the performance and result at Ipswich… Jack Payne returns for selection following his second yellow card against Burton and one game suspension against Ipswich. Todd Kane and Manny Egbo continue to step up their return following reintroductions to the team in recent weeks and games after lengthy spells on the sidelines for them both. Sean Clare will be pushing for a recall after his recent ankle injury but we are unaware of how bad that one is.
In midfield, Scott Fraser comes up against his former side and back at the Stadium MK for the first time in a Charlton shirt. The big pitch and familiar surroundings could prove beneficial, and he will expect to put in a good performance.
Mentioning the big pitch, exploiting the extra space in wide areas could see Tyreece Campbell and Rak-Sakyi cause Milton Keynes a whole host of problems. The young and exciting pair get along well off the pitch, and it's showing on it. Campbell's ever improving form has been a joy to watch, confirming he's more than capable of doing it in League One. The man on the opposite side has put himself in a wonderful position to not only win our POTY, but young player of the year in League One too. Rak-Sakyi has surpassed many expectations and although he may go through periods in games where he is quiet, he has the ability to produce moments of pure magic. He's got a bright future ahead of him. What I find nice, even if it is a pat on the back for myself, is in my previous preview against Milton Keynes back in October, Campbell had only just made his full debut against Shrewsbury a few days earlier, I said how "his pace, directness, and ability to skip passed players means he was a natural replacement for the injured Blackett-Taylor. Young Campbell showing he could be a useful option going forward this season if required" - and so it's proved. Campbell is one player I would like to sign a new long term contract, as in 12 months time, he could be a very good player for this level and important in what we hope to be a promotion campaign.
Live on Charlton TV worldwide
Referee
Sam Allison - previously officiated us away at Doncaster last season where we won 0-1
Introduction
After a half decent run of form where we won 6-0 at home against Shrewsbury and getting a win at home against Burton, we come back down to earth with a 6-0 thumping of our own. It could be a good thing as some people were beginning to think that this squad is potentially capable of pushing for promotion next season. Well don’t be fooled and don’t fall into that trap. The majority are not and we need a clear out. The league position of the last two seasons suggests exactly that. Now all we can do is hope those here, even if for another 3 weeks, show pride and finish the season strongly. We came up against the best side in the league who will end up getting promoted, but it was a lesson to show the gulf. It feels like all I ever do is write previews against our next opposition, we haven’t played Milton Keynes on a weekend since February 2018! So next up is another midweek fixture against the side from Buckinghamshire.
Opposition
Position: 19th
Manager: Mark Jackson
Last 6: WWDDDD
Milton Keynes form has picked up recently with 10 points from their last 6 games, just in time to start pulling themselves away from danger. It would have been even better but for a last minute equaliser for Cheltenham to make it a desmond, scored by a man who will be a target for many clubs in the summer, Alfie May.
Manager, Mark Jackson, is a rookie at first team level. A playing career in the lower leagues was followed by learning his coaching trade at Leeds United. A highly thought of coach by Bielsa led him to become Leeds U23 manager for a couple of years. Working with and developing young players is something Jackson has shown to do well, and the type of club Milton Keynes are, getting youngsters on loan from the bigger clubs and working with them is a way they’re always going to have to go. It was a tough ask coming in taking over from Liam Manning, with Milton Keynes struggling and staring down the barrel to League Two. However, he’s done well after a slow start and they look like they’ve got enough within their side to keep them up. Much of those hopes could be placed on Mo Eisa. The man from Greenwich has 9 league goals this season, and got a brace against his old side at the weekend. His pace and movement running off our defence could cause us a few problems. Keep him quiet, and they don’t have too many goal threats throughout their team. Will Grigg and Jonathan Leko only have 8 league goals between them.
Manager, Mark Jackson, is a rookie at first team level. A playing career in the lower leagues was followed by learning his coaching trade at Leeds United. A highly thought of coach by Bielsa led him to become Leeds U23 manager for a couple of years. Working with and developing young players is something Jackson has shown to do well, and the type of club Milton Keynes are, getting youngsters on loan from the bigger clubs and working with them is a way they’re always going to have to go. It was a tough ask coming in taking over from Liam Manning, with Milton Keynes struggling and staring down the barrel to League Two. However, he’s done well after a slow start and they look like they’ve got enough within their side to keep them up. Much of those hopes could be placed on Mo Eisa. The man from Greenwich has 9 league goals this season, and got a brace against his old side at the weekend. His pace and movement running off our defence could cause us a few problems. Keep him quiet, and they don’t have too many goal threats throughout their team. Will Grigg and Jonathan Leko only have 8 league goals between them.
Charlton Team News
Let’s try to be positive?! We’ve got a game in a couple of days to put right the performance and result at Ipswich… Jack Payne returns for selection following his second yellow card against Burton and one game suspension against Ipswich. Todd Kane and Manny Egbo continue to step up their return following reintroductions to the team in recent weeks and games after lengthy spells on the sidelines for them both. Sean Clare will be pushing for a recall after his recent ankle injury but we are unaware of how bad that one is.
In midfield, Scott Fraser comes up against his former side and back at the Stadium MK for the first time in a Charlton shirt. The big pitch and familiar surroundings could prove beneficial, and he will expect to put in a good performance.
Mentioning the big pitch, exploiting the extra space in wide areas could see Tyreece Campbell and Rak-Sakyi cause Milton Keynes a whole host of problems. The young and exciting pair get along well off the pitch, and it's showing on it. Campbell's ever improving form has been a joy to watch, confirming he's more than capable of doing it in League One. The man on the opposite side has put himself in a wonderful position to not only win our POTY, but young player of the year in League One too. Rak-Sakyi has surpassed many expectations and although he may go through periods in games where he is quiet, he has the ability to produce moments of pure magic. He's got a bright future ahead of him. What I find nice, even if it is a pat on the back for myself, is in my previous preview against Milton Keynes back in October, Campbell had only just made his full debut against Shrewsbury a few days earlier, I said how "his pace, directness, and ability to skip passed players means he was a natural replacement for the injured Blackett-Taylor. Young Campbell showing he could be a useful option going forward this season if required" - and so it's proved. Campbell is one player I would like to sign a new long term contract, as in 12 months time, he could be a very good player for this level and important in what we hope to be a promotion campaign.
Ryan Inniss will be suspended, who knows how long for as it was his 4th of the season but one got rescinded. In comes Mitchell to the squad.
Maynard-Brewer
Kane | Hector | Thomas | Sessegnon
Morgan | Dobson | Fraser
Rak-Sakyi | Leaburn | Campbell
Wollacott, Egbo, Mitchell, Henry, Payne, Kanu, Bonne
Milton Keynes 1-2 Charlton Athletic
Rak-Sakyi
Fraser
