By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
After two hard fought 1-1 draws away from home across the festive period we kick off the New Year with a home match against Milton Keynes. Tickets look to be selling well, although not in the West Stand it seems, so should be a decent crowd providing MK bring more than their normal coach load. I know it doesn’t count for anything but the calendar year League Two table has us in fifth with 72 points from 46 matches played so 2025 hasn’t been a bad year to be a U’s fan.
We had kept the same starting lineup for a few matches but Danny made changes for the Gillingham game with Hunt and Payne coming in for KVY and Tovide also Anderson looked to have picked up an injury on Monday night so I’m going to assume he’s unavailable which will be a big miss for us. I’m expecting the U’s to line up as follows:
Macey
Vincent Young Tucker Araujo Iandolo
Bishop Read
Lisbie Edwards
Tovide
Mbick
Subs
Smith Hunt Goodwin Tovide Terry Gape Gordon
I think Mbick has looked tired recently so wouldn't be surprised to see Tovide start. I’m not sure whether Akande is ready to play but he can’t be far off and I’m also unsure as to the fitness of Williams, Anderson and Oni so have left them out of the matchday 18.
MK had a difficult time in League Two last season, sacking two managers, but ended the season with the experienced Paul Warne in charge who, in my opinion, was a very good appointment. They’re probably not doing as well as they would’ve liked this season, given that they have one of the bigger budgets in the division, but are still in fourth position with the most number of goals scored and highest goal difference. I fully expect them to finish in the top seven but more than likely in the top three. They’re in decent form too with three wins and two draws in their last six league matches. They also have a 3rd Round FA Cup tie against Oxford to look forward to after knocking us out in the 1st Round back in November. In my head we don’t have a great record against MK and, according to the BBC, it’s just nine wins against 15 in our 28 meetings across all competitions. We did manage the rare feat of beating them three times last season and let’s hope they don’t do the reverse on us this season.
Aaron Collins, who had a loan spell at the U’s, is likely to start up front for MK but their top scorer, and captain, is Alex Gilbey who came through our academy making over 100 appearances for us before leaving for Wigan. His Wigan stay was short lived but he followed it up with successful periods at MK, Charlton and Stevenage (loan) before returning to MK in 2023. His goal return in his second spell is nearly one in every three matches which is pretty good going for a striker let alone a midfielder. I always rated Gilbey when he was here, his family used to live in my road and I once ate a steak cooked by his dad on his BBQ during a Royal street party, and I figured he would go on to bigger and better things but he’s not quite reached the heights I expected him too. He’s had a decent career though and arguably a better career than say Wordsworth or Moncur and even at 31 he’s probably still too good for League Two. Let’s hope we can keep him quiet tomorrow. Other players that have played for both the U’s and MK include Clive Platt, Izale McLeod (barely) and Clinton Morrison. Please feel free to add any others.
The weather at the Jobserve is set to be dry and sunny with a moderate breeze and a high of just six degrees after overnight frosts. Wrap up warm U’s fans, it’s going to be a really chilly one! I know we need to start winning games again but I just can’t see us beating MK so I’m going to have to go for another 1-1 draw with Lisbie grabbing the U’s goal.
MK Warne Down By Weary U's on 18:09 - Dec 31 by ghughes11
What have you done to Jack Payne RSCOSWORTH?
Haha - probably a clerical oversight, but I will check on his wellbeing tomorrow, rest assured. Happy New Year BTW ghughes, I think you're already in 2026? Do let us know how it is, did we win tomorrow?
Great review RS, and thanks for stepping in - your Durham-esque thread title was totally on point. I can't immediately add to the "they played for both" list, but whilst I probably agree your score prediction is closer to reality, I'm going for an upbeat 3-1 to the U's, and given the slight controversy, Payne to score the first.
I’m not surprised if West Stand tickets are not selling well as I know a number that alternate between Portman Road and Jobserve depending on who is at home. Both Ipswich and the U’s are at home today.
I’ve been away over Xmas, missing the last three fixtures, but will add my vocal support today. During my time absent, I’ve noticed far greater criticism of referees in the press and forums. I’m uncomfortable that referees get so much stick, but Bromley top suggests to me underlying concerns.
It’s time the EFL improved the standard of L2 refereeing to prevent the thugs and cheats from prospering. What seems to have happened (IMHO) is Premier League VAR demands have sucked up more resource, so starving the lower leagues of quality.
On a positive note, this creates greater career opportunity for aspiring referees, but in the meanwhile we have a void whilst they gain experience and competence. Any thoughts Gerry-US?
0
MK Warne Down By Weary U's on 09:31 - Jan 1 with 518 views
MK Warne Down By Weary U's on 21:56 - Dec 31 by wessex_exile
Haha - probably a clerical oversight, but I will check on his wellbeing tomorrow, rest assured. Happy New Year BTW ghughes, I think you're already in 2026? Do let us know how it is, did we win tomorrow?
Great review RS, and thanks for stepping in - your Durham-esque thread title was totally on point. I can't immediately add to the "they played for both" list, but whilst I probably agree your score prediction is closer to reality, I'm going for an upbeat 3-1 to the U's, and given the slight controversy, Payne to score the first.
Up the U's, and MK No Way!
Cheers Wessex. Happy New Year to you too and fellow boarders
I am off to bed now and can confirm that Col U are currently still undefeated in 2026 at time of writing and I am hoping that will still be the case when I wake up on the 2nd!
I have also predicted a Col U win and Payne to score first!
Hard fought game, nothing to show between sides that wanted to play rather than disrupt. A winner was more likely from a set piece than open play to start, but the introduction of pace on the hour mark saw us lose more possession but gained in creativity. Injuries are mounting up with now Bishop leaving the field early, but the togetherness now shows in the battle, something not seen in the years prior to Cowley’s appointment.
Well I was there, and I'm pretty sure ghughes was in bed (when I say there, I mean the JobServe, not spooning in NZ ).
I've just watched Danny's post-match interview, and that explains why sand (or something) seemed to be kicking up a lot during the game, no water on it. Whether that's the reason or not, although we largely controlled the game we did seem to lack a bit of spark. Traditionally that would be put down to hangovers, but our squad these days are far too professional to have that as a reason.
We got the result we deserved in the end, and both firsthand and from the highlights I've seen on the Sky Sports website, it was a clear penalty. Credit also to Jack Payne for having the courage to just blast it down the middle, confident their keeper would commit to diving to where he thought Jack would place it. The deafening roar and celebrations of the 6,000 U's fans after were just spine-tingling to be part of.
Talk about schadenfreude though, watching MK trying to play hurry up football in the dying seconds, having spent all of the second half trying to slow the game, waste time and run down the clock. Tough luck suckers! If they are genuine top three contenders then we have nothing to fear.
On to Accrington on Sunday, with the U's two places and three points outside the play-offs.
MK Warne Down By Weary U's on 18:09 - Dec 31 by ghughes11
What have you done to Jack Payne RSCOSWORTH?
Apologies, he was meant to be in the 10 instead of Tovide but I hadn't changed it despite putting Tovide on the bench. Which proved to be incorrect but Payne did start in the 10.
MK Warne Down By Weary U's on 21:56 - Dec 31 by wessex_exile
Haha - probably a clerical oversight, but I will check on his wellbeing tomorrow, rest assured. Happy New Year BTW ghughes, I think you're already in 2026? Do let us know how it is, did we win tomorrow?
Great review RS, and thanks for stepping in - your Durham-esque thread title was totally on point. I can't immediately add to the "they played for both" list, but whilst I probably agree your score prediction is closer to reality, I'm going for an upbeat 3-1 to the U's, and given the slight controversy, Payne to score the first.
Up the U's, and MK No Way!
My brother informed me that I hadn't included Jack's Tucker and Payne, quite an oversight on my part. Also Tommy Smith, Jabo Ibehre and Brennan Dickenson so there's been a few.
MK Warne Down By Weary U's on 09:01 - Jan 1 by noah4x4
I’m not surprised if West Stand tickets are not selling well as I know a number that alternate between Portman Road and Jobserve depending on who is at home. Both Ipswich and the U’s are at home today.
I’ve been away over Xmas, missing the last three fixtures, but will add my vocal support today. During my time absent, I’ve noticed far greater criticism of referees in the press and forums. I’m uncomfortable that referees get so much stick, but Bromley top suggests to me underlying concerns.
It’s time the EFL improved the standard of L2 refereeing to prevent the thugs and cheats from prospering. What seems to have happened (IMHO) is Premier League VAR demands have sucked up more resource, so starving the lower leagues of quality.
On a positive note, this creates greater career opportunity for aspiring referees, but in the meanwhile we have a void whilst they gain experience and competence. Any thoughts Gerry-US?
It does seem to be that when Ipswich are at home that the West Stand is considerably more sparse. Let's hope we don't have too many more clashes with them. I think that there are a number of stewards who work at both grounds.
Happy New Year, with a great start! on 22:19 - Jan 1 by wessex_exile
HNY to you too Gerry, and all on the U'sual.
Well I was there, and I'm pretty sure ghughes was in bed (when I say there, I mean the JobServe, not spooning in NZ ).
I've just watched Danny's post-match interview, and that explains why sand (or something) seemed to be kicking up a lot during the game, no water on it. Whether that's the reason or not, although we largely controlled the game we did seem to lack a bit of spark. Traditionally that would be put down to hangovers, but our squad these days are far too professional to have that as a reason.
We got the result we deserved in the end, and both firsthand and from the highlights I've seen on the Sky Sports website, it was a clear penalty. Credit also to Jack Payne for having the courage to just blast it down the middle, confident their keeper would commit to diving to where he thought Jack would place it. The deafening roar and celebrations of the 6,000 U's fans after were just spine-tingling to be part of.
Talk about schadenfreude though, watching MK trying to play hurry up football in the dying seconds, having spent all of the second half trying to slow the game, waste time and run down the clock. Tough luck suckers! If they are genuine top three contenders then we have nothing to fear.
On to Accrington on Sunday, with the U's two places and three points outside the play-offs.
[Post edited 1 Jan 22:22]
I heard the pipes were frozen and thus the pitch couldn't be watered. Could be the same for Sunday looking at the forecast for the next few days.
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
).