The Insider: Great time for Pompey to face Dons

The MK Dons fans got restless and it was about time former manager Robbie Neilson went.

Everybody felt it was time for him to go.

He may have held on for a couple of games because of the circumstances in matches that unfolded.

Just after Christmas the Dons held on 1-0 at home to Peterborough, despite being down to nine men. Then beating QPR in the FA Cup gave him a couple of weeks of extended life.

From a long way out, not a lot of people liked the style of football Neilson played.

He also had fallings out with key players as well – falling out with Dean Lewington didn’t help with the fans.

The Dons have gambled with Dan Micciche and we’ll see whether it pays off if they remain in League One this season.

Fans were happy to an extent.

I think people have realised it’s a massive gamble because he has no experience whatsoever in senior football.

People expect new-manager syndrome and for his tenure to start off with a couple of wins.

However, he’s began with two defeats from as many games and the jury is still out on Micciche.

He’s got no experience at any sort of senior level.

Some fans are bracing themselves for promotion.

It’s a funny fan base in that people are usually positive no matter what is happening.

But they’re looking at it and thinking it’s the biggest threat to the club for a long time.

I think it’s a good time to be playing MK Dons.

They’re trying to bring in a new identity – that’s the latest buzzword, along with DNA.

However, it looked shaky at best Walsall last weekend.

They were trying to pass out from the back with it chucking it down on a bobbly pitch, with players who are trying to learn how to do it.

They’ve got the squad to stay up. There are players in there but the Dons don’t seems to have gelled.

Alex Gilbey has been the best player this season by a long way.

He was made captain when Lewington was sent packing by the old manager and has lost the armband since Lewington’s return, which was a bit harsh.

Gilbey is the one player in the centre of the park who can grab a game by the scruff of the neck and drag it with him.

Unfortunately, he’s been left high and dry by the rest of the players who seemingly don’t want to go with him.