MK Dons' Date Of Destiny Looms, But How Good Has Roberto Di Matteo Been?

Sure, the youngster has been far from prolific, but he’s shown bags and bags of quality since been given his run in the first team.

A defender’s worst nightmare, he will chase the boy all day long, move into channels, and generally cause a nuisance whenever he can.

If Sam Baldock can hit his better form in the playoffs, the Dons will be at Wembley come the end of May. When Baldock shines, he scores, braces against Millwall and Colchester prove that.

It’s when he’s forced onto the wings, when he’s made to run into a dead end, that’s when the team struggles as a whole.

It wouldn’t be right to say he’s the heartbeat of the team, that honour has to lie with Peter Leven at the moment, but Sam Baldock is, when he’s on song, the difference maker.

Di Matteo has some big decisions to make ahead of the playoffs it seems. Firstly, Luke Chadwick’s fitness has been to and fro since the new year, do you risk him in both ties, or save him for stadium:MK? Mark Wright has had a run in the team of late, whilst Jemal Johnson has been sublime all year, and whilst it is a good problem to have, it’s a problem nonetheless.

Secondly, if Ali Gerba is fit, just who will he play up front. He seems to stick with Baldock no matter what. Wilbraham has 16 goals, but Gerba is by far in better form.

And lastly, the infamous right-back problem. Shaun Cummings is fully fit again after short appearances against Northampton and Hereford, and will most definitely be considered for the slot against Scunthorpe.

That said, Luke Howell nabbed his first professional goal against Hereford and will want to feature, whilst Carl Regan, who has been filling in for Cummings, has been impressive.

Whoever di Matteo opts for, the side needs to step up for the big occasion, they can’t afford another performance like that against Walsall, they just won’t be good enough if they freeze like that again.

Most importantly of all however, the back four needs to keep its unity even under the sort of hard pressure they were under against Northampton last week.

Scunthorpe proved they have the mental strength when they sealed their playoff spot late in the game against Tranmere. Now Roberto di Matteo needs to somehow inspire his side to do the same. Cummings or no Cummings, Regan or no Regan.

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