Crewe Alex v MK Dons 24/25 Preview - Warn(e)ing shot

Make no doubt about it, if you are looking for the list of teams who've had the worst seasons in L2 in 24-25, MK Dons are top of the list. Yes, Carlisle have been a shambles, but they came down with a lot of negative momentum behind them which contributed to things being as bad as they've been.

But MK came off the back of a strong run into the play-offs and loaded up on top draw talent in every position. They signed players for a style of play, they had an identity and a seemingly up and coming manager. What could go wrong?

Well, everything. Their season is done, they are set to finish in their lowest league position since the rebrand and move and where they go from here, who knows. Well, all that being said, they now have new hope in the attracting of Paul Warne to take the managerial role. There is obviously hope that he can turn around their fortunes and he'll come into his first away game as MK Dons manager looking for his first win. Wouldn't it be typical Crewe to give that to him? Here is my preview of the Alex's penultimate home game of 24-25:

Change of Direction

There is a lot being made of how MK have, for years, moulded themselves on being an open, attractive, passing outfit. And on the surface, it's built success, until this season at least. But bringing in Paul Warne feels like a move in the opposite direction, given his reputation at Rotherham and Derby. I suspect we're going to see a very different version of them going forward. How much influence he has over them given he's been in charge less than a week I don't know, but it'll be interesting to see how much they've changed.

Out of Form

You thought the Alex's form was bad, take a look at MK's! In their last 26 games, they are 4-5-17 with a scored-conceded ratio of 19-47. Their away record in that time is even worse, at 2-2-10 with just 13 goals scored. They are an utter shambles in every facet. There is no stat I can find which wouldn't tell you how poor they've been this season. Again, how much Warne changes things remains to be seen, but they will come into this game low in confidence.

Breaking Point

But, all the above being said, they are coming up against a battered and mostly demoralised Crewe side who are in woeful form at Gresty Road. Since beating Bromley in early January, they are 2-2-5 at home. A manager that plays dire football AND can't win his home games doesn't have much chance. A win here would be papering over the cracks, but god help Bell if they don't. I suspect we might hear, for the first time in his 2 1/2 year tenure, real serious signs of dissent amongst the home supporters.

STILL in the hunt

As much as it would be easier if the Alex were officially out of the play-off hunt right now, they aren't. They are still in it. Yes, we are in "need a miracle territory" in hoping that not only do they win, but all the other results of the teams around them go their way, but it wouldn't be crazy to imagine a scenario where they find themselves 1 point off a play-off spot come the end of this game. Colchester travel to Doncaster, Grimsby head to Port Vale and Chesterfield play Bradford. All 3 teams could easily lose.

This really is a must win game, as a defeat here coupled with a Colchester/Grimsby win would officially put them out of the promotion race. But if the gods are smiling on them(and after the shocking calls that went against them on Friday, they deserve a bit of luck), they could find themselves within touching distance of the top 7 with 2 to play.

Ref Watch

Charles Breakspear

Finally, an experienced ref. Breakspear though has not done many games this season, this being only his 18th. The Alex's record when he takes charge of their games is pretty good, so hopefully that continues in this game.

2024/25 Record: 17 games(8 League One, 6 League Two, 1 National League, 1 FA Cup, 1 League Cup), 93 yellows, 2 reds

Last Game: Peterborough United 1-1 Stockport County, EFL League One, 18th April 2025, 6 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 4-5-2, 18 yellows, 1 red

Injuries/Absences

Crewe Alex

Their injury list is a lot shorter than it was a week ago. Tabiner hopefully should recover from his cut, but I suspect Thomas will be out yet again. So that'll put him, Tracey, Lankester on the sidelines.

MK Dons

Sam Sherring, Alex Gilbey, Dan Crowley and Nico Lawrence all missed Friday's game with Newport, so I'm not sure if any of them will be fit for this one. Gilbey and Crowley on their day are great players, so if they are out, it'll be a boost for the Alex.

Team

Some tough decisions are going to be needed for this game. Can Thomas shake off his hip injury to start? I doubt it knowing him and his history. I would hope Joel Tabiner's cut will be patched up and he can start. Owen Lunt will be available after his red card from Friday was rightfully overturned. So he should start again.

Again, I'm going 4-3-3. Get Tabiner and Holicek in either side of Hemmings in the front 3. Have Lunt, Sanders and Lowery in midfield and yet again, drop Zac "Yellow Card" Williams and roll with a back 4 of Conway, Demetriou, O'Riordan and Billington.

The bench will have plenty of options, with all eyes on whether Cooney, Powell or Bogle are recalled. Either way, Bell has a squad of, by my count 21 senior outfield options to choose from. So, some big names are going to miss out.

Score Prediction

Do or die. This really is it. I don't know what to expect from this one. The Alex have options back in attacking areas, but their game plan going forward still seems muddled and confused. So how much damage they will be able to do to a badly out of form MK team remains to be seen. MK's quality does concern me though. If they actually turn up in the mood and the Alex play like they did against Cheltenham, they'll lose.

I'm going to sit on the fence as usual and say it'll be another bore draw.

Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Milton Keynes Dons