Regan Poole became the latest of the MK Dons signings on Friday afternoon, joining four others to make the move to Stadium MK this summer. The window got off to a good start with the acquisition of Exeter City midfielder Hiram Boateng, and fans were also left relatively happy with the signings of Brennan Dickenson and Joe Mason.
The feeling that Paul Tisdale was building a squad capable of competing in League One fell slightly when the club announced that they had secured Jordan Bowery from Crewe Alexandra. Many felt that the striker’s record of eight goals and four assists in the 2018/19 campaign wouldn’t do justice at a higher level.
However, Poole’s addition has revamped expectations for 2019/20. Many seem hopeful now that if the club can keep one of Chuks Aneke or Kieran Agard, not much else will need to be done to the squad to have a decent year back in League One.
MK Dons Signings So Far
Defence No Longer an Issue
MK Dons had a massive influx of defenders at the club last season. Jordan Moore-Taylor, Baily Cargill, Mathieu Baudry and Mitch Hancox all joined in the summer, while Russell Martin was added partway through the season. That seemed like more than enough, especially with George Williams, Callum Brittain, Dean Lewington, Joe Walsh and Oran Jackson already at the club. However, injuries saw Moore-Taylor and Cargill struggle for appearances in the second half of the season, which was the same story for Baudry throughout most of the season, while the stellar performances of Lewington kept Hancox from breaking into the team.
With Baudry, Hancox and Jackson having now departed the club, signings were needed to fill the voids. Poole, who joins after being released by Manchester United and playing for League Two play-off finalists Newport County last season, adds competition in this area as well as at right-back, where he can challenge Brittain and Williams. Meanwhile, Dickenson, who arrives from Colchester United, can be utilised at left-back despite being more comfortable further up the pitch. It’s thought that he will be used to cover for Lewington in the higher-paced games, with the Dons stalwart having recently turned 35.
The new additions make it a highly-competitive back line; one that has pedigree at League One level, and some even higher with Walsh and Lewington having played for the club in the Championship. The only further change that may need to be made is the signing of a left-back. If Tisdale has no intention of using Dickenson there and instead playing him further up, there is currently nobody at the club to cover for Lewington.
Midfield Needs One Key Addition
Hiram Boateng’s signing was well-received by MK Dons fans after Tisdale temped yet another one of his former Exeter players to Stadium MK. His defensive-minded approach to the midfield role is one that will certainly shore up that aspect of the Dons’ midfield, alongside Alex Gilbey and other potential starters, Jordan Houghton and Connor McGrandles. Ryan Harley and David Kasumu are expected to provide the back-up for these players.
While that solidity is important, there is currently a lack of creative output in the midfield ranks at the club. Gilbey has been that focal point on occasion but showed in his performances last season that he was much better at starting further back and then driving forward, particularly with the ball at his feet.
Therefore, the signing of an attacking midfielder certainly wouldn’t go amiss. It would stop the over-reliance on the attacking three (assuming Tisdale sticks to that shape) to create and score the goals. Chuks Aneke could drop back into that role after playing further forward last season, but there’s every chance he could be departing the club too, having still not signed a new contract. He remains a target for Portsmouth, according to Jordan Cross of the Portsmouth News.
Up Front is Still a Concern
Two strikers have been signed this summer, but one has admitted himself he expects a bit-part role and the other played just ten minutes of League One football last season.
Add in that Aneke could be on his way and Kieran Agard could be on his way to Gillingham if reports from Kent Live’s Luke Cawdell are accurate, then attacking options look particularly bleak.
There are no reports currently linking the club with any strikers, but that doesn’t mean deals aren’t being worked on. All five MK Dons signings so far have gone under the radar of most news outlets.
Keeping hold of one of Aneke and Agard will be vital, but even then a prolific partner for the one that stays will be needed to ensure there is enough firepower in front of goal next season.
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