The Football Managing Mercenary

[DerbyJack]

Preseason
2021/22​

10th July 2021
Friendly

An important Pre-Season gets underway in disappointing fashion as we slip up against lowly Cambridge. With a Championship season now just a matter of days away the boys are going to need to be a lot more clinical if we are to stand any chance of surviving in such a cut-through league.


15th July 2021
Friendly

Thankfully the boys waste little time in showcasing their true ability in the very next game as they cruise past Crawley with Joe Mason netting a brace as he looks to gear up as the Dons lead striker should boy-wonder, Paul Hume eventually lead the club. At least we have some depth upfront it seems.


17th July 2021
Friendly

With the Premier League giants seemingly content to bide their time on the bids for Paul Hume, the future England superstar wastes little time in showcasing his talent as he bangs a hat-trick past non-league Chesham. Whilst i love seeing this super young striker find the back of the net, knowing his days with us are well and truly numbered does hurt a little..


20th July 2021
Friendly

...The important thing though is that for now at least Hume remains in an MK Dons shirt. The young striker makes it to victories in a row as he strides into fine form with the opening game of the season now looming on the horizon. A debut season for both himself and the club could have dramatic impacts on both of their futures.



Whilst Hume steals the plaudits late into the pre-season, there's still plenty of time to show-case the formation that could hopefully see us cling on to life in England's second tier...

That ever present 4-2-3-1 formation remains rooted in place as I look to continue my fine form with the attacking lineup.

Having first bumbled my way into the formation, I have enjoyed nothing but success. It seem's I might have developed myself a new trademark formation. Forget the Christmas Tree, its all about flooding the pitch with attacking midfielders.

​

 

[Zanz]

Lovely read, good to see you've kept Hume and had a mostly successful preseason. Now, time to take the Championship by storm eyy?

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks alot Zanz, much appreciated. I've never had a truly amazing prospect on my hands in the last few games but Paul Hume is certainly worth the wait. Shame I'll only have him here on a short term basis!​

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August 2021

7th August 2021
Championship

Our first taste of life in the cut-throat world that is League One and we are soon given a fine example of just how tough the league can be as the Owls shoot into the lead within just four minutes. To their credit the League's new boys held their own eventually getting a deserved break-through courtesy of the dominant Paul Humes to salvage a debut point.


11th August 2021
EFL Cup - 1st Round

The League Cup soon comes around and a tussle against League One's Colchester soon turns feisty as second-choice striker, Joe Mason is soon sent hobbling off the pitch with a nasty looking injury but the cropped front-mans loss was our gain as the unflappable Paul Hume took to the field to rifle home a second half winner.

14th August 2021
Championship

We return to League action and are once again given a stern wake up call as we are humbled by promotion hopefuls Brentford. Having knocked on the door for the last few seasons, Brentford will be looking to ****** a spot in the top-flight this time around with Geordie striker, Andy Carroll keen to see both himself and his new club back in the Premier League.


17th August 2021
Championship

An absolute barnstormer of a match has former Premier League side Fulham and Championship debutants MK Dons go toe to toe with both sides throwing all they had at each other in an eight goal thriller. In the end a cruel red card late in the second half killed off any Dons hopes of taking anything from Craven Cottage as Fulham took immediate advantage.


21st August 2021
Championship

The League is certainly proving to be harsh for the new boys as another chance at claiming the clubs first victory in the Championship is scuppered by a bizarre own-goal. With a one goal lead, some desperate defending saw the ball flung around the box with a deflection cannoning off Whitbread's shin and into the net. Gutted.


25th August 2021
EFL Cup - 2nd Round

The next round of the League Cup brings out the big guns and with it comes a Paul Hume masterclass. The wonderkid takes his opportunity to showcase just what a Premier League giant can gain should they meet his Thirteen Million release clause with a sensational hat-trick the only downside of which came with a late injury that could well prove costly...

28th August 2021
Championship

No Paul Hume but the boys still do their utmost to secure what could eventually prove to be a crucial point as they frustrate a down-trodden Sunderland. Having seen the Black Cats ****** the lead just before the break, the boys rallied almost instantly as new-boy Angel Gomes backs his first for the club with a fine effort and a deserved equaliser.


August 2021
Championship

Despite losing just the one game this month the club finds itself cruelly shoved down into the relegation dog-fight already. With fate and the fixture list very much against the Dons, it is most certainly not the time for panicking at this early stage. Easier games and hopefully some good fortune is on the horizon. Keep the faith.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

September 2021​

11th September 2021
Championship

Making a start upfront in the place of injured duo, Mason and Hume, Dujon Sterling fires home within just the first seven minutes. The right-back come lethal sharpshooter,shows no signs of nerves as the lone striker, secures the first victory for the club with his first goal infront of the Milton Keynes faithful. The season starts now.


15th September 2021
Championship

The Chelsea loanee is apparently the sharpest off the mark in every game. Within just three minutes Sterling bags his second of the season with not even an early red card dampening the spirits of the battling Dons as they not only see out the match but put a gloss on the finish as Angel Gomes bangs in a second to send the Dons fans home happy.


18th September 2021
Championship

Despite bagging back to back victories in the second month of the season, the boys are left frustrated by a struggling Rotherham side as they battle their way to a point in a decidedly solid performance. The Millers dominated the majority of the play but some strong defending saw us claw a point away from the frustrated away side.


22nd September 2021
EFL Cup - 3rd Round

The League Cup exploits come to a surprising end as bottom of the table, Cardiff City secure a late victory and a place in the next round of the competition as the clubs second half-fight back fades out just minutes before the final whistle with Ryan Fraser dumping us out of the competition with a fine finish deep into extra time.


25th September 2021
Championship

With heads stooped low following their cup exit and tired legs letting them down in their third game of the week, Nottingham Forest take quick advantage to secure a well earned and comfortable victory to give us a quick reminder of just what it takes to truly survive at this level. It's not going to get an easier from here.


28th September 2021
Championship

Will Grigg is well and truly on fire as the Northern Irish striker opens the deadlock after just Twenty Six minutes to send Reading on their way to victory as the Dons fitness issues continue to grow. With the matches coming thick and fast, injuries hindering our early hopes and the Championship being predictably brutal we can only hope the pace eases up soon.


September 2021
Championship

Picking up their first victories of the season, the squad had early hopes of smashing their way out of the battle at the foot of the table but a late collapse of form soon has they back into the danger zone, with Europa League battling Hull City propping them just above the relegation zone courtesy of their three game deficit. Tough times.

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[TheWanderer]

when Hume is back hopefully he can kick you on. Not doing to bad.... hopefully soon a PL team comes knocking

 

[DerbyJack]

I'm sure he will, the boy is far too talented to dwell at this level! Hope so Wanderer!

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October 2021

2nd October 2021
Championship

With our place in the Championship very much on the line, the boys struggle to find a way into a tough game against Huddersfield with a second half goal breaking the deadlock with a toothless front-line unable to drag the boys back into the game. All we need to do is hold on to a handful of points until we can bring back the prodigal son, Hume...


16th October 2021
Championship

...Speak of the devil. Marking his return from injury Hume opens the scoring in a dominant performance from the Dons just after the ten minute mark and his return to the goal-sheet brings out the best of his talented team-mates as they rattle the goals past a crest-fallen Burnley to keep the drop zone at bay.


19th October 2021
Championship

Unfortunately the relief was short-lived. With Hume still being eased back into the starting line-up, fellow returning striker Joe Mason marked his own return to first team football following his two month absence, with a fine goal after the break but it proved to only provoke a dormant Barnsley as they turned on the style and roll to a comfortable home victory.


23rd October 2021
Championship

That's more like it. Rapidly developing midfielder Seb Rowan shows-off what he has in the locker with a drilled effort just minutes into the game buts its a Paul Hume hat-trick that stole the show. The lethal teenage finisher, seems keen to make up for lost time and his clinical finishing certainly has him on the right track to burst back on to the scene.


30th October 2021
Championship

The club remains unable to put down any kind of form as they struggle their way to a point against a promotion chasing Bristol City. In a *** for tat first-half neither side was able to break the deadlock until The Robins re-emerged from the break in determined form snatching the lead until the eighty-first minute when that man Paul Hume leveled the playing field to see us claim a point.


October 2021
Championship

Despite once again struggling our way through the month we have managed to put in some distance between us and those dwelling at the foot of the table with just two victories seeing us climb closer to mid-table safety and above some of the League's longest serving clubs including the Mighty Rams. Progress!

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[PatrickLFC]

Solid start to the Championship, hopefully when you join a PL team you can sign Hume for them yourself!

 

[Brane_Orsou]

Solid progress mate, picking up wins now as well

 

[PirateSteve]

Loving the story so far mate got me looking forward to the next update!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dporter8999]

Glad to see you making such a quick rise in this story, has been well deserved. Any money in the kitty for January? Or do you predict spending the window fighting off offers for Hume?

 

[DerbyJack]

Thanks as always Patrick, hopefully I can follow him up there one day!

Cheers Neavie, slow and steady.

Thanks alot Steve!

I hope it continues! Quite a bit actually, even before Hume leaves we have around five million left, his release fee is around Thirteen million as well so should hopefully have us swimming in money!

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November 2021

7th November 2021
Championship

Our climb up the standings continues in the finest of fashions as we annihilate Hull City courtesy of a Paul Hume Masterclass. With the January transfer window drawing in, a five goal bonanza from the recently called up England star all but ensures his time with the Dons is drawing to a close. Oh how he will be missed in the new year.


20th November 2021
Championship

Despite rattling in the goals for fun against former Premier League side, Hull in the last game, we are unable to do the same against the Mighty Rams as we battle our way to a hard earned draw. Having taken the lead twice it seemed Derby County had done enough to claim the points until that man Paul Hume saved us a fortunate point.


27th November 2021
Championship

The prodigal son is unable to save us in the very next game however as we are left stunned by a struggling Cardiff City. The Bluebirds looks set for a shock relegation into League One but are certainly not going down without a fight as a spirited start see's them storm into a two goal lead, that the shocked Dons were unable to overcome.


November 2021
Championship

A rapidly declining month, started with a bruising victory and ended with a shock defeat. Unsurprisingly our shaky form had little impact upon our standings other then seeing us slip precariously back into the danger zone as we fall into nineteenth place and just a handful of points away from the drop-zone.

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[DerbyJack]

I am actually off for the weekend to the hopefully beautiful Berlin. Going to see if the Bundesliga is ready to take on a lower league maestro!

Thanks for all the support as always guys, see you next week!

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December 2021

4th December 2021
Championship

In the same style as last month we kick start December in style as we ****** another three points for our much needed points tally. Having taken the lead through the impressive Harry Chapman, The Seagulls increased our chances of romping to victory with a sloppy red-card and Paul Hume quickly took advantage to put a gloss on the finish.


11th December 2021
Championship

We continue to wrack up the points as we squeeze our way past a gritty Luton Town. In a frantic ten minute spell, The Hatters came out on top but a spirited fight-back from the Dons saw us eventually overturn the earlier set back as we battled our way to the points, with soon to be lead striker, Joe Mason wrapping up an impressive performance from the boys.


14th December 2021
Championship

The boys make it three in three as they secure a three goal victory over a rapidly rising Fleetwood. The Trawlermen have done well to battle their way into the Championship but certainly looked like a side devoid of ideas in England's second tier as we strolled to a three goal victory led by veteran winger, Elliott Bennett.


18th December 2021
Championship

Our run of victories comes to a close as we are held by Championship veterans, Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls aren't exactly enjoying much success this window but a dominant second-half still managed to showcase their status in the league until the clinical Elliott Bennett continued his recent run of form with a well taken penalty to tie up the game.


26th December 2021
Championship

The month starts to take a true turn for the worst as a lackluster game burst into life within the final ten minutes. Having returned to the score-sheet with just nine minutes remaining Paul Hume looked to have secured the victory until Rovers suddenly burst into life. A two goal blitz turned the game instantly on its head and condemned us to a disappointing defeat.


28th December 2021
Championship

The late heartbreak in the previous game took the wind out of the boys sails as they switched off either side of the break to gift Leeds with a two goal lead. Despite eventual regaining some composure in the second half courtesy of Roshan Williams headed effort it proved to be too little, too late as we suffered our second defeat in a row.


December 2021
Championship

Having started the month in spirited fashion that boys managed to do more then enough to claw their way away from the danger zone and have now started to muscle their way into the safety of mid-table. With half a season still to go, we can only hope that the boys can cling on to this relatively safety in their debut season.

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[Brane_Orsou]

I don't know what's going on but everything is going far to straightforward for you at present. Slow and steady progression was certainly not the message from FM16's story, none the less still loving this and looking forward to seeing which comes first, MK Dons promotion or you being approached from elsewhere.

 

[dani3w]

The season is looking very good to date! What coachng badge are you up to? Surely wont be long until prem team come knocking

 

[TheWanderer]

2 decent months mate! how many points is it from the Play offs

 

[d82Z]

Just read from start to finish. Brilliant story and a real talent in Hume, his minutes per goal record looks exceptional

 

[DerbyJack]

I'm also slightly bemused by it all as well Neavie. It turns out it was the game holding me back not the other way round! Thanks as always!

I'm up to the Continental B licence now! Big Time! Fingers crossed. Might even be with the Dons if we continue at this rate! Cheers Dan!

Thanks! Unfortunately Wanderer I cant quite remember from back then but I do know the leading group had pulled away one **** of a gap. Promotion is a very distant dream this time around!

Thanks very much d82Z. Hume certainly is a potential superstar. Which makes this even more painful...


For those that are curious by the way, Berlin is beautiful...and ****** freezing.

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The entire season has had this one solitary moment hanging over it since the first ball was kicked...

...Paul Hume is out of here.

The most impressive product to come out of the Milton Keynes since England's midfield general Deli Alli, enters the record books at the Don's most expensive ever player as a Thirteen million pound transfer has him set to continue his growing career at Goodison Park with Premier League side Everton.

The clubs leading scorer is joined on his way out of the club by another young talent as Youth prospect Jamie Crowther heads for Scottish giants, Celtic for a respectable Seven Hundred Pounds despite having never made a first-team appearance for the club.

With the club now losing out on a huge chunk of potential and it's leading goal scorer at the same time, the usually quiet mid-season window has suddenly become much louder...

From: Chelsea
Cost: £375k​

Having joined the club on loan at the start of the season, the club waste's little time in making his move permanent as we snap up Dijon Sterling for a knock-down fee of just Three Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand. Bargain. The former Chelsea product has already made a huge impact down the right flank even deputizing as our lead striker when Hume was injured...hopefully it wont come to that now he has gone.

From: Out of Contract
Cost: Free​

With the clubs leading striker and star player on his way to Everton we turn to one of their own, Frank Mulhern to attempt to fill in the gap. Having been released by the Toffees at the end of last season, the Irish International has been frustrated on the sidelines for half the season but a chance at leading the line for the Dons soon had the Twenty Five year old hungry to make up for lost time.

From: Stoke
Cost: £1.4 million​

Why have one replacement when you can have two. Having been limited to reserve appearances with the Potters, Sam Punter put in a late transfer request and we wasted no time in snapping up the sharp shooting teenager. With a lethal left foot and the mental attributes that should have him find the net with ease, Punter could well see Hume quickly forgotten. Fingers crossed.



With a massive hole ripped in the club following Humes departure, the transfer window was non the less a rather productive one.

Sterling's permanent signing, a hungry Irish International and a potential teenage sensation have all swelled the ranks as we look to quickly lick our wounds and continue our steady start to life in the Championship.

​

 

[dporter8999]

Did you manage to get a percentage of future fee clause put in there?

Sam Punter looks like he could be the one that fills the hole left by Hume

 

[DerbyJack]

No such luck, they met the release clause and that was it. Everything was out of our hands unfortunately. Fingers crossed Punter could be our man!

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January 2022

1st January 2022
Championship

Before he jetted off for Everton, Paul Hume still managed to keep his head in the first few games of the month as he does his bit in a spirited effort at overhauling a determined Brentford side. The Bees are flying high towards the top of the table and an end to end game between the two clubs saw Andy Carroll's boys continue their pursuit for top flight football.


3rd January 2022
Championship

Just two days later and we are back at it in the new year with a cautious game against a struggling Fulham. The Cottagers have been unable to push on from their Championship standings for many years now and look set to continue their stay in England's second tier with an Elliott Bennett penalty leaving the Londoners once again frustrated.


8th January 2022
FA Cup - 3rd Round

Any hopes of lighting up the FA Cup from our safe position in the Championship are quickly snuffed our as Premier League new-boys Newcastle send us immediately packing from the competition. Having run the Magpies ragged throughout the entire game a late red card for new permanent arrival Sterling ended our hopes with former Chelsea striker Batshuayi quickly taking advantage.


15th January 2022
Championship

With our cup exit, we could at least concentrate on the League...Unfortunately that was not such a good thing. With the New Year bringing with it some of the worst form we have had in the Championship we once again slump to a disappointing result as former top flight side, Norwich come out on top as they show us exactly how to see out the game with just ten men. Lessons learnt.


22nd January 2022
Championship

Another Championship heavyweight helps us see out the month as we welcome the once mighty, Sunderland to Stadium:MK and the boys certainly gave them a rude welcome. A midfield masterclass saw Furlong and Gomes fire us into the lead, with Mason making the most of Hume's recent departure to familiarize himself with the back of the net at the first opportunity.


January 2022
Championship

With January essentially beating us into submission we once again find ourselves slipping down the table but we still manage to find ourselves holding out in the middle of the table. With the season barreling towards it's finale, fingers are firmly crossed in Buckinghamshire as we hope to cling on to the relative safety lost in the Championship's no mans land.

​

 

[DerbyJack]

February 2022​

1st February 2022
Championship

January might have been tough on the battle weary Don's but February certainly got things off in style. Having gone behind after just one minute it seemed Ipswich were about to condemn us to another defeat but new arrival Sam Punter soon had other ideas firing home a clinical hat-trick alongside a determined Furlong as we romped to a sensational victory.


5th February 2022
Championship

On the back of their mauling of The Tractor Boys, we continue into the month in style as we sneak past Queens Park Rangers with an emphatic first-half display killing off any hopes the R's had of taking anything from the game. With the midfield in full swing it seems the boys are rallying together in style since Hume's new-year departure.


12th February 2022
Championship

Our fine form continues as we romp our way past the Millers with Punter making it Five goals in his first Three games for the club as his sensational start to life with The Dons continues to blot out the memory of the Premier Leagues hottest young prospect, Paul Hume. In this type of form maybe the Play-offs aren't quite out of reach just yet.


15th February 2022
Championship

On second thoughts maybe they are. With a Jake Vokins free-kick firing us into the lead in style we are unable to see out the result as an early red card in the second half for young midfielder Kieran Barratt gifted Forest with a route back into the game, with their veteran Kiwi striker Chris Wood leveling the game with just minutes to go.


19th February 2022
Championship

On the back of the one goal draw we are unable to return ourselves to our emphatic winning ways as we are held by a determined Reading. The Royals are suffering a season to forget as they struggle to fend off the relegation dog-fight towards the foot of the table but a well earned point at least helped to keep their heads above the water for now.


26th February 2022
Championship

Having started the month in such ruthless fashion, a sudden realization seems to have brought an end to our run but the boys at least managed to return to winning ways just before February draws to a close as we slide our way past Huddersfield as the ever improving Angel Gomes finds the back of the net to cap an impressive month for the Dons.


February 2022
Championship

An unbeaten month of football, Fourteen points and a resurgent push for a sneaky play-off spot. With the boys seemingly rallied by the departure of Hume earlier in the year we have found something to truly get the boys fired up. With just three months of football remaining, there is still time to ****** something from our debut season in the Championship.

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