Promoted League Two Side Likened To Lincoln City By Rival Boss

Milton Keynes Dons have been compared to last season’s Lincoln City side following their promotion to League One.

Huddersfield Town head coach Martin Drury believes Paul Warne’s team possess many of the same characteristics which helped the Imps win the third-tier title with 103 points. The Dons finished second in League Two last season and have recruited ambitiously ahead of their return to League One.

City’s physicality, direct attacking play and ability to thrive during chaotic passages of matches were all identified as similarities by Drury, rightly or wrongly. His Huddersfield side face MK Dons this weekend, with the Terriers boss expecting the newly-promoted club to challenge near the top of the division.

Lincoln City used as the benchmark

Speaking before the game, Drury told the Yorkshire Post that he could see clear similarities between MK Dons and the Imps.

“They’re reminiscent in my mind of Lincoln last season. There’s some real similar characteristics there, very, very direct, big, strong, powerful.

“They’re good in chaos moments in the game and, from what I’ve watched, they try to wear you down, and they’re a real threat when they get in the final third.”

Those qualities were central to our record-breaking promotion campaign. The Imps combined defensive strength with an aggressive press, a significant aerial threat and the ability to sustain pressure in the opposition half.

The range of attacking options available toMichael Skubala also allowed City to alter the shape of matches. Ben House and Freddie Draper offered a physical presence through the middle, while the Imps carried additional threats from set pieces, wing-back areas and midfield.

That combination helped us put together a club-record unbeaten league run on the way to the title. The Imps eventually finished well ahead of Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers, losing only five of the 46 league matches and securing promotion with several games remaining.

MK Dons finished second in League Two during Warne’s first full season in charge, but naturally had a huge budget and abhorrent income-to-wages ratio. Their promotion returned them to the third tier after a three-year absence, and the club have strengthened a squad which is expected to compete immediately.