What a relief to get a point after Bristol Rovers pathetic Boxing Day
It was ironic that we failed to get three points yesterday following a host of missed chances when our recent problems have been keeping a clean sheet.
MK Dons had given us a reality check by showing us exactly what is needed to get out of this division with the clinical way they held onto a 2-1 lead despite being down to 10 men.
While we could match them for skill, we were sadly lacking in organisation at the back and did you see the upper body strength most of their players possessed?
Far too many of our players are light-weight and were easily muscled off the ball. This is Division One, not the Premier League, and we don't get stuck in in vital areas. How predictable was the way their corner kick was bombed into our six-yard box and their man nodded home unopposed? Where was our defence? I am not apportioning blame to any individual but they must have been geared up to expect that sort of attack and it was so disappointing to concede so easily once again without any challenge.
The hard-working Jo Kuffour, the one bright light in a dismal performance, deserved his bit of luck with the deflection for the equaliser. Then his trickery forced Dons defender into the lunge which got him sent off and I thought it was going to be our day. The visitors had a long time to survive with 10 men.
But then just minutes later came the turning point in the game for me as the Milton Keynes boys were floundering on the ropes after the sending off only for Steve Elliott to miss the easiest of chances from yards out by heading feebly into the grateful keeper's arms. Where was the goal machine when we needed him?
I was surprised at the dropping of Craig Hinton and talking about goal machines it was the quietest game I have seen Rickie Lambert play this season. He didn't seem up for it at all. Cynics around me felt he is already lined up by another club and didn't want to get injured. I hope that's not the case but any scout watching him on Boxing Day could not have been impressed.
This year will be remembered for our great FA Cup run and Lambert's goals so it is disappointing to end 2008 in 16th place in the league.
Let's hope we can kick off new year off with our first ever win against Yeovil.
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