Match Report
M.K. Dons
vrs Fulham
Championship Match Day 17 1516 at Stadium M.K.
Saturday 21st November 2015 KO: 15:00
Referee: Darren Handley (Lancashire)
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MK Dons and Fulham will be targeting a return to top form after difficult spells for both clubs prior to the international break.
Fulham's search for a new manager continues following the departure of Kit Symons, while the hosts head into the game just one point above the relegation zone.
For Fulham supporters, the past 12 days have been spent checking social media every few minutes to find out who is the new favourite to replace Symons, whose 14-month spell in charge came to an end when he was sacked before the international break.
The move appeared to be designed to help the club have a replacement lined up before this weekend's visit to Milton Keynes, but as potential candidates continue to pile up, Fulham seem to be no closer to appointing a new manager.
Fulham advisor Alan Curbishley, Nigel Pearson, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Paul Tisdale and John Carver have all been linked with the job, but it was Reading boss Steve Clarke who emerged as the frontrunner when reports suggested that he would be willing to swap the Madejski Stadium for Craven Cottage.
However, it was reported on Thursday that Clarke had changed his mind and rejected the approach from Fulham, who are believed to be considering another offer to the former West Bromwich Albion boss.
First-team coaches Mark Pembridge and Sean Reed look set to take charge of the side on Saturday afternoon and the pressure is on the current squad to the defeats they suffered to Burnley and Birmingham City, respectively, earlier this month.
Consistency is the big issue for Fulham after winning five and losing six of their 16 league games this season, and with the club currently sitting eight points off the playoff spots, the questions on and off the pitch need to be answered as soon as possible.
Karl Robinson will certainly not have been expecting life to be easy when his side secured promotion to the Championship, but the MK Dons boss will be fully aware that a solution to their current problems must be found sooner rather than later.
A run of three successive defeats came to an end with a 1-0 win over Charlton Athletic at the start of the month, before a 2-1 loss to promotion chasers Brighton & Hove Albion ensured that the squad were dealt another blow heading into the international break.
As each week passes, the picture continues to change in the bottom half of the table, but with one point separating them from the relegation zone, Robinson will be hopeful that the break brings a response from the players.
"I think we can take heart from the way we've played.
We feel we should have more points than we've got and that's the disappointing thing, but hopefully over the next few weeks we can try accumulate some points and move away from the bottom three,"
Robinson, who has been typically upbeat about his side's campaign so far, told the club's website this week. Meetings with Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brentford and Ipswich Town over the next couple of weeks will push Robinson's optimism to the limit, but it is a run which could change the direction of the club's season should they improve quickly.
In truth, the club's supporters would have expected that this campaign would be a tough battle throughout but a run of good results may be required to keep the confidence high as they look to avoid slipping into the bottom three.
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This will be the first competitive match between MK Dons and Fulham.
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The Dons have lost four of their last five league games (W1).
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MK Dons have won 55%, drawn 5% and lost 40% of their last 20 home games.
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MK Dons have conceded in 55% of their last 20 home games.
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Fulham have lost their last two league games, they've not lost three in a row since January.
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Since his second-tier debut in August 2008, Ross McCormack has scored more goals in the Championship than any other player (104).
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There have been more goals scored in matches involving Fulham (57) this campaign than any other Championship team.
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Fulham have the best shot conversion rate in the division this season (19.3%).
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Fulham have won 20%, drawn 30% and lost 50% of their last 20 away games.
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Fulham have conceded in 80% of their last 20 away games.