MK Dons Match - Player Ratings

[Narborough Bod]

Hendo 6 - Nothing to do

Gilbert 6 - Pacey but looked uneasy at imes

Mattock 7 - Too good for League One

Morrison 7 - Solis

Tunchev 7 - See above

Gradel 9 - Pacey, determined, exciting. Can't wait to see more of him but he needs to improve his final ball.

Dyer 7 - Caused quite a few problems but relies too much on his left foot.

King 7 - Solid

Oakley 7.5 - Ran the midfield

Howard 6 - Slow, lethargic, crap

Fryatt 8 - 2 goals, job done

Dickov 6 - Featured little but he still looks up for it

Hobbs - N/A

Interesting all the love already for Gradel and the hate for Howard.

Gradel did quite well, yep, but final ball left a lot to be desired on a number of occasions and I think I can count on one finger the number of times that Howard was given a ball in the air to attack whilst facing the goal.

I reckon if Howard had been the youngster returning from loan we'd have been saying how fantastic his link up play was with Fryatt. While if Gradel had been the player who hadn't performed last season everyone would have moaned about the final ball being along the ground half of the time.

It was a comfortable win and we should expect more of that this season. No need to be giving players crap marks after 1 game. New season, draw a line under last and lets be objective, rather than start by slating the players that we already hate.

[morris1234]

Henderson 6 - didnt have much to do at all!

Gilbert - 7.5 very solid, messed up once but managed to win it back and hes a great player to leave back on attacking corners because of his pace!

Morrison - 7.5, absolute monster! his positioning was questionable sometimes but i felt was very very good considering the step up hes made.

Tunchev - 7.5, fantastic really was! you can tell theres still that commnication barrier but that will come. oh and seriously needs to watch what hes doing with his hands, if the ref was harsh they could of had many more free-kicks and maybe even a pen because of the shirt pulling.

Matock - 6.5 - did well, got forward a few times, had an unlucky shot just go over but a good performance, didnt have much t do, most of it was at the other end.

Gradel - 8.5 fantastic, needs to realise when hes overplayed but he really was that good, at the start it was all lloyd dyer but once he got a look in, you and there left back knew it. great tackler aswell wasnt he??!! crossing was a bit poor but its refreshing to see a winger that has soo much flair and attitude! did well for goal.

Oakley 7.5 - did very well i thought , i kept a close eye on his communication with others and it was good, not amazing but good. he did the basics well and got i some great tackles!

King 6.5 - positioning was shocking, headless chicken like but he was composed on the ball and sprayed some very ice passes about.

Dyer 7 - started really well but died out in the second half. looks quick and quite intelligent.

Howard 7 - i thought he was really good, i dont know what people expected from him, that hed lost 4 stone and found some pace, no! weve asked for a target man for a while and ok last season he was really poor but today he worked hard, he was sliding in for blocks and tackles and was actually running! nic elink up between him and fryatt!

Fryatt 9 - great! just great! great goals, amazing movement and great intelligence and work rate. MOM for me!!!!

it was a breath of fresh air actually, the best thing about the whole thing was that we managed to finish a game off even though they had most of the ball in the second half. we never really looked to threatened by them, we completely shut out keith andrews and made him look shi*e, basically we looked bothered and that we didnt want to concede let alone get beat, the players werent waiting for somebody else to step up and sort things out, they worked hard and the amount of movement (especially from the wingers and strikers) was fantastic, lovely dummies and flicks! great performance. dickov looked ok didnt do much but linked up play nicely and had a shot blocked. if it wasnt for some quite good defending from the mk dons centre halfs then we could have had 4 or 5. good performance lads well done!

[morris1234]

Interesting all the love already for Gradel and the hate for Howard.

Gradel did quite well, yep, but final ball left a lot to be desired on a number of occasions and I think I can count on one finger the number of times that Howard was given a ball in the air to attack whilst facing the goal.

I reckon if Howard had been the youngster returning from loan we'd have been saying how fantastic his link up play was with Fryatt. While if Gradel had been the player who hadn't performed last season everyone would have moaned about the final ball being along the ground half of the time.

It was a comfortable win and we should expect more of that this season. No need to be giving players crap marks after 1 game. New season, draw a line under last and lets be objective, rather than start by slating the players that we already hate.

you my friend are absolutely spot on! couldnt have said it better!

am i the only on that actually likes steve howard? i just dont know what people expect from him? yes hes slow but thats sort of his game, he adds a different dimension to our game and i think if he puts the work and really really tries and basically shows he cares for the club then he should be supported well by every man, woman and child at the walkers.

he shouldnt be criticised for something thats impossible! you cant expect him to suddenly turn fast and start scoring 40yard screamers.

again i hought he worked hard, he was talking a lot to the 2 wingers and fryatt especially, giving them the encouragement they need and he linked up well! he also made some key flcik ons, he defended corners in our half at times and got some nice tackles in.

im not saying he was amazing but its a bloody change from last season! oh and as to those idiots in sk3 why boo dickov?

[Uncle Monty]

Not sure about our midfield in the second half, i think we wr lucky to get away with a win. If they had some decent strikers they would have been well away. Mind you if we tucked all of our chances away it would have been about 5 or 6 goals. There were certain parts about our play which did excite me ie the nice passing flowing football, but we just lacked passion in the second half i mean did anyone see king or oakley during the franchise boys possesion period? I was impressed with Gradel's performance however he can't seem to cross the ball - and he looks like a small child. I just hope we can string some more wins together.

[DJ Barry Hammond]

As per the title - here are my MK Dons Player Ratings:

Milton Keynes Dons:

Gueret - rubbish!

Regan - better at rugby

Stirling - better at soccer saturday

O'Hanlon - thanks for the pen

Lewington - Ray would be ashamed of you!

Wright - wrong

Andrews - better as an indejestion tablet

Navarro - subbed for the poo (Leven 68),

Sturm (Chicksen 74), - he, he, strum me chicksen!

Wilbraham - mmmmmm ham

Baldock (Johnson 79). he, he johnson!

Subs Not Used: Abbey, Cummings - didn't even get on - you guys must be rubbish.

Now i didn't get to the game or listen to it on the radio - so this is very childish and making me look 16 not 26 - but it's been a while since i've been pleased with a win, so i figured i'll get carried away while it lasts!

[mmarkie]

Henderson 6- Nothing to do really.

Gilbert 6- Played well but positioning was a bit bad.

Morrison 7- Really impressed with him but made the odd mistake.

Tunchev 9- Absolutely brilliant like a rock, MOM for me. Got a standing ovation aswell i believe.

Mattock 7- Played well.

Gradel 8- Brilliant energy and pace some good tackles and good set-up for the second goal, would have been 9 but wasted the ball on some occasions.

Oakley 7-Bossed the midfield and spread the ball well.

King 6-Did what he needed to do.

Dyer 7- Some good runs and you could see he was pumped up.

Howard 7-Good link up play but if he actually moved a bit more would be alot better.

Fryatt 9- Good goals and good general play aswell.

SUBS-

Dickov 6- Still Hussles and harries the opposition defence like the old days was really pleased to see him back and what an ovation from the crowd when he came on!

Hobbs N/A- Left before he came on.

[Legend_in_blue]

you my friend are absolutely spot on! couldnt have said it better!

am i the only on that actually likes steve howard? i just dont know what people expect from him? yes hes slow but thats sort of his game, he adds a different dimension to our game and i think if he puts the work and really really tries and basically shows he cares for the club then he should be supported well by every man, woman and child at the walkers.

he shouldnt be criticised for something thats impossible! you cant expect him to suddenly turn fast and start scoring 40yard screamers.

again i hought he worked hard, he was talking a lot to the 2 wingers and fryatt especially, giving them the encouragement they need and he linked up well! he also made some key flcik ons, he defended corners in our half at times and got some nice tackles in.

im not saying he was amazing but its a bloody change from last season! oh and as to those idiots in sk3 why boo dickov?

I like him.

Our hold up play up front suffered a lot when he went off. And yes, the comment about how many balls was he able to attack at head height in the 6 yard box is spot on. If the bloke has nothing to work with, what do you expect him to do? Cartwheels from 30 yards?

Give the bloke a chance.

Like I said in my review - slate him once he starts missing great chances, but don't get on his back when he has had very little to work with today.

[morris1234]

I like him.

Our hold up play up front suffered a lot when he went off. And yes, the comment about how many balls was he able to attack at head height in the 6 yard box is spot on. If the bloke has nothing to work with, what do you expect him to do? Cartwheels from 30 yards?

Give the bloke a chance.

Like I said in my review - slate him once he starts missing great chances, but don't get on his back when he has had very little to work with today.

ahhhhhhhhhhhh another one absolutely spot on!

[dandannieldanok]

Give the bloke a chance.

Like I said in my review - slate him once he starts missing great chances, but don't get on his back when he has had very little to work with today.

Ermmm.........how about the whole 2nd half of last season.

Look, I don't like to jump on players backs more than the next man and I certainly don't think Howard was too bad today, but although this is a new season he has had long enough to settle in and prove himself. Let's face it, it just isn't happening for him at Leicester. Even though Fryatt did all the hard work for the penalty, if I were Pearson I would have insisted Howard took it, he needs a goal to lift him, it might spark something.

[lcfc81]

I'd agree about Howard.

He hasn't got any pace but he won his headers today and his link up play with Fryatt was top class

Also he nailed there big defnder with a lovely challenge.

[sdb]

Hendo - 7.5 - dealt with everything he had to, including some tricky crosses & back passes

Gilbert - 7.5 looked impressive, worked well with Gradel but switched off on 1 or 2 occasions

Morrison - 7.5 solid

Tunchev - 7.5 same, never really stretched

Mattock - 7 worked hard, no mistakes but couldn't cross

Gradel - 8.5 just like SWP in his pomp at Man City. Worked hard, showed real class, made a goal and was a valuble outlet at all times (my motm)

Oakley - 8 made plenty of interceptions and quality passes

King - 6 the weakest link for sure, some loose passes and poor 1st touches but everyone around him played well so perhaps i'm being a tad harsh

Dyer - 7.5 another offensive outlet who played well and did his fair share of defensive duties

Fryatt - 8.5 - 2 goals, looked hungry and sharp. maybe a little selfish on a few occasions but can't complain!

Howard - 6.5 won some headers, not much else. looked quite lazy but he'll be essential if we're to get out of this league. Fryatt seemed to enjoy him as a partner.

Dickov - 6.5

Hobbs - excited about him but not happy with changing centerbacks with 5 mins to go

[Legend_in_blue]

Ermmm.........how about the whole 2nd half of last season.

Look, I don't like to jump on players backs more than the next man and I certainly don't think Howard was too bad today, but although this is a new season he has had long enough to settle in and prove himself. Let's face it, it just isn't happening for him at Leicester. Even though Fryatt did all the hard work for the penalty, if I were Pearson I would have insisted Howard took it, he needs a goal to lift him, it might spark something.

Using last season as a benchmark, you could say the same of every player in the squad.

Using Howard as the scapegoat is hardly going to help him improve his play this season if everybody keeps on harping on about his performances last season.

[lcfc81]

Hendo 6 - Little to do.

Gilbert 7 - Made mistakes but has the pace to correct them, really useful for us as last man when we had attacking corners.

Mattock 6.5 - OK, made a few positional mistakes but is very young.

Morrison 7.5 - Best defender in my book, vry good for a 20 year old.

Tunchev 6.5 - Looked very slow at some points but will take time to get use to english football I suppose.

Gradel 8.5 - This is the type of player we need, he creates a spark. He is still raw but very good.

Dyer 7 - I think he helped give us balance and is prepard to attack the full back.

King 6.5 - Glad he started, faded a little in the second half, but again is young and learning.

Oakley 7 - A good game, seemed up for it. (was worried for 10 mins though that our CM was missing!).

Howard 7 - Played better, think he won some good headers and his link up play with Fryatt was excellent. Read 4 or 5 of

Fryatts dumies well and fed him the ball back.

Fryatt 9 - Needs a bit of pace but excellent today. Excellent touch and awareness.

Dickov 6.5 - Giv him 2-3 weeks and the pest will be back.

Hobbs - Not on long enough

[dandannieldanok]

Using Howard as the scapegoat is hardly going to help him improve his play this season if everybody keeps on harping on about his performances last season.

To be honest, I'm not sure a few marks of 5 and 6 on an fans forum is going to cause him any anguish, the likelihood of him reading this forum is virtually nil. He was clapped off generously anyway.

[Mort]

Hendo: 7 - When ever he was needed he was there, solid.

Gilbert: 6 - Worked well with Gradel going forward, got into a bit of bother here and there though.

Morrison: 6 - Very solid, got stuck in, although (like most of hte defence) seemed a little unsteady at times.

Tunchev:7 - Calm and Composed throughout.

Mattock: 6 - Only showing flashes of his potential, although grew in confidence as the game went on.

Gradel: 8 - Magic, caught-out at times but for the most part simply magic!

Oakley: 7 - Led the team and middle of the park well, critical in driving the attack forward at times

King: 6 - Unsteady, but (like Mattock) seemed to grow in confidence.

Dyer: 7 - Started off brightly but flagged a little in the middle before coming back strongly.

Fryatt: 8 - Some classy football, seemed to go missing on occasion, but in the main a very strong display.

Howard: 6 - Struggled to be in the 'right place at the right time' although worked well up front with Fryatt.

Dickov: 6 - Lively, nothing spectacular but showed plenty of his old tenacity.

Hobbs: - n/a

[Flynny]

Henderson 6 - Nowt to do

Gilbert 6.5 - Overcommitted at times, a better left-mid would make him pay for that.

Mattock 6 - Competent.

Morrison 6.5 - Made no individual errors that I recall but as a unit the CB's didn't look all that.

Tunchev 6.5 - See above

Gradel 8 - Incredible. Needs to sort out his delivery to be all he can be.

Dyer 7 - Pacy, got in the way of the strikers in the box a bit. He should hover just behind in case the cross goes long or he can bomb in to make a header.

King 6.5 - The CMs could both easily be underrated because they got bypassed a bit (round not over, at least), but they put themselves about a bit. Couple of sloppy passes from him mind.

Oakley 7.5 - Same as above but he was dead good with it, got everywhere.

Howard 6.5 - Did quite well, less hoofing to him, looks likely to score with it at his feet.

Fryatt 8 - Can't fault him, two goals.

Dickov 6 - Didn't look as past it as I thought he might.

Hobbs - N/A

[lavrentis]

Henderson 6

Gilbert 7

Morrison 7

Tunchev 7.5 MOM

Mattock 7

Gradel 8

Oakley 7

King 7

Dyer 7

Howard 6

Fryatt 7

[Stuliasz]

Henderson 7

Gilbert 7

Mattock 6

Morrison 7

Tunchev 7

Gradel 8

Dyer 7

Oakley 8

King 6

Fryatt 9

Howard 5

Dickov 6

[Fox in a Box]

Hendo -6.5 Not alot to do but still lacks presence. I do hope for a good season.

Gilbert 5- High hopes from the gunners reseves man, got caught out a few times, not the best but maybe debut nerves got the better of him.

Mattock 7.5- Usual solid self, no nosense, could improve on ball ditribution thou.

Morrison 7- good debut hardly put a foot wrong I hope he improves on this solid start

Tunchev 8.5- Quality Player all around in the air and on the deck, did get turned inside out twice which needs improving but worthy of the No5 shirt, good replacement for Mcpoorly

Gradel 8- Runs, tricks, pace but I do hope that he can learn from some bad mistakes, whilst in our defensive area's maybe its an area the should look at.?

Dyer 6- good at the start lost his way 2nd halve, maybe needs more games.

King 6- Solid But lost the ball in key areas sometimes, he was decent in the friendlies so I have higher hopes for him

Oakley 8- Changed man with the captians armband, good work fella and loads of shouting!

Howard 7- I think his new front line partners will bring out the best in him, looks fitter even if he tweaked his hamstring

Fryatt 8- Great start to the season, well done matty more of the same mate

Dickov 6.5- He still looks the part, he will prove to be a very decent signing as the season progresses.

I'm not being negative, just taking in all the new players and new league and giving an honest assessment

[Thracian]

Henderson 6 - Had nothing to do. Did it perfectly well

Gilbert 7.5 . Quite impressed. One thing I like about full-backs is being able to recover quickly and he did that. Suppoorted okay too.

Tunchev 7.5. Not faced by the likes of Phillips he looked a class act. What I liked was his positional sense and how, once he gained possession he passed the ball accurately and simply. How we've needed that.

Morrison 7. MK had very few chances and he was a part of the reason.

Mattock 6. Just a bog standard game but he played his part effectively enough and had his + moments.

Gradel 8. Made our second goal out of absolutely nothing and was a constant torment to the MK defence. His defensive play has improved beyond all recognition and while he can still improve his final pass he kept putting the ball in the box. Altogether played a big part in our win. I'm a big fan.

Oakley 6.5. Competent game. Showed some enthusiasm and got himself involved. Just not positive enough for a big mark.

King 7. Vital role in restricting MK and also found time to make a couple of breaks that might have produced goals. What the hell he was doing in the last five minutes I don't know but it cost him 0.5 of a point.

Dyer 5 Must be on better wages than Porter because thats the only reason I can imagine he was selected ahead of him. Had his moments early on but finished up like a bloke who'd lost his Viagra and his closing down looked a token gesture compared with Dickov's..

Fryatt 8.5. Two goals to win the match. Looked in his element and confirmed my absolute faith in him at Division One level. Revitalised. Well done Matty.

Howard 5 - What was he for? Got injured and that summed him up. Howard or DJ? Don't be funny.

Subs:

Dickov 7. Love the guy. Almost fashioned a goal with his first contribution and when he closes people down like he really means it.

Hobbs 5. What the hell was that change about? He did nothing wrong but why make the change? Something to do with win bonuses is all I can imagine.

Pearson 2. What a disapointment. All close season I've wondered why he has such a lousy record while he signs such good players and selects such well balanced sides. Well now I know.

He's a 1-0 merchant. Yes I know we won 2-0 but that was because Gradel was irrespressible and conjured something out of nothing. Basically Pearson quit when we were 1-0 up and simply had us fall back behind the halfway line and defend. Even on the rare occasions we attacked second half we got one bloke in the box, that was all.

He may get us up from this shit division but unless he learns to have faith in his team and to push up when we get ahead he'll do sod all at a higher level.

Never once did I see him urging our team forward. He put two fingers up to the idea of entertaining the fans and finally presided over a 2-0 win that could have been five had we kept maintaining the pressure we exerted until we scored.

MK were awful. It took them 39 minutes to mount a serious attack yet we conceded ground in the second half and might even have donated them a goal when their guy was left unmarked on the penalty spot.

If Pearson wants to be a proper manager he'll need to have much more attitude than he showed yesterday.

[bigneville]

Henderson - 6 - Had nothing to do at all. Did what he had to do with minimal fuss. Kicking still needs to improve though.

Gilbert - 7.5 - Got forward well and linked well with Gradel. Made the occasional mistake at the back, but has the pace to rectify such issues.

Morrison - 7 - Solid start, stepped up to the level. But didn't have a great deal to do

Tunchev - 7 - Dealt with a decent centre forward well. Needs to chill out a bit though, always wanted to win the ball at first attempt, against real quality, he will get caught out. Struggled communicating with fellow defenders, but as time goes by, i'm certain he will improve, and be a solid centre back for us.

Mattock - 6.5 - Looked to get forward when possible, caught out of position occasionally. The lad did nothing wrong, but nothing special.

Gradel - 8.5 - Always wanted the ball, felt like something was going to happen whenever he got it. Delivery was poor, but always looked to do something. Great commitment and work-rate for the second goal.

Oakley - 7 - Ran the midfield well, did what he had to do with minimal fuss, seeing as he was carrying King for most of the game,

King - 5 - Couldn't pick a Leicester player out with a pass. Looked out of his depth to me, although the lad did try hard.

Dyer - 7 - Looked to make things happen in the first half, full of running and looks of effort. Never got the ball in the second half.

Fryatt - 8 - Took his chances well, great work for the penalty. Made the right runs at time and linked well with Howard. Certainly a big threat at this level.

Howard - 6 - Never got the service he needs to be a success, although he linked well with Fryatt.

Subs

Dickov - 6 - Tried hard, but game was already won when he came on.

Hobbs - 6 - Not on long enough to make an impact.

Manager

Pearson - 8 - Solid start, encouraged the team at all times to have confidence and play football. Great decision to bring Howard of, as the bloke wasn't getting the service he needed.

[Calum McDermott]

What skill from gradel when he took on there big centre back on the flank when he was literally off the pitch in the 2nd half!!!

[lavrentis]

Quite a negative report there Thracian. Quite surprised about Dyer's score.

[termite111]

7's all round except for:

Gradel - 8 - taking the piss all game

Fryatt - 8 - just for his two goals. Looks a changed player!

Dickov - 6 - We looked like we lost our way when he came on. Sure he will come good though!

Tunchev - 8 - A rock!!

i agree we did lose our way when he came on but imo only because we played hoof ball second half to 2 short men up front. ideally you want dickov to play with howard like fryatt to feed off flick on's etc but i thought fryatt and howard linked up really well today. nice dummy's 1-2's etc.

but the people sitting near me moaning bout howard all the time i don't think realise that he's 6ft somat and isn't built to be quick he's playing like he has at derby and luton and the sooner people realise that and get off his back the bettter. imo today he won alot of headers and held the ball up well for fryatt and dyer to feed off.

[teblin]

I thought we struggled as soon as howard went of, he may seem lazy but when you don't have a big guy up top the ball just comes back tooquickly. Dickov and fryatt but need someone like him to feed off.