Vital three points. We're out of the relegation zone!
The defence looked unbelievably porous first half. We probably deserved to be behind. But I don't remember MK having a sniff second half. Although individual mistakes are being horribly exposed this season, defending is a team effort, and I think KR did well to shut off the supply lines to their dangerous front men in the second half. We still have moments of pure mental lapse though - hence the second goal. It is concerning.
I thought KR set up cleverly to combat their playing out from the back with the 4231, and his substitutions came at good times and, obviously, made a big difference. Along with the shift at HT, I was impressed with how he managed the game. He can hardly be blamed for individual defensive errors. It was also great to have options on the bench - being able to bring on the likes of Agyei and Shodipo stretched the game and ultimately won it for us.
We looked extremely dangerous going forward second half, which was great to see, a return to some of our best play of last year. We should have won by more. Hopefully MM is a confidence player and that performance gives him a boost, he certainly seemed to perk up second half when he was getting a bit more of a sniff. Henry had his usual quiet game with moments of brilliance, and any game where Taylor scores is a game where I'm happy. Sykes though my MOTM. Without CB, we need a presence in the middle of the park to be tenacious and make life hell for the oppo CMs, and he did exactly that. Unlucky not to get a goal, too.
Exactly the boost we needed going into an essential game on Saturday. Good stuff.