Episode 4 - The First Loss
Finally, get in there!
Name: Dean Lewington
Date of Birth: 18 May 1984
Previous Clubs: Wimbledon
Coach Report:![]()
ONE of the Football League's longest serving players admits he is "content" at his lack of game time
"Dropped". That was the word echoing in one player's mind at first, but now he is beginning to come to terms with a new chapter in his career. Left-back
Dean Lewington is the only player to have played in every season for MK Dons, and one of only two former Wimbledon players - the other being goalkeeper David Martin - currently in the club's first team squad.
However, the club captain, 29, is currently experiencing his first season as a rotation player at the League One outfit, with relatively unknown 16 year old Gedeon Okito often being utilised in Lewington's prefered position. The change is thought to be a result of the veteran's under-par performances of late, with youngster Okito - enjoying his first spell in the first team - providing far more solid performances than the experienced defender.
Though initially dismayed by the bizarre switch, fans have since settled to the newcomer, with most rating the teenager highly on club forums, and Lewington himself admits he has similar feelings.
"It's understandable, really. I began the season as a starter but my performances weren't great by my standards, and the gaffer's clearly noticed. He's given the kid a few games to settle, and he's done well, so I get why I'm being confined to the bench," explains Lewington.
"Right now I'm content with the amount of time on the pitch I'm getting, even as much as I'd love to be a starter. Gedeon clearly has a bright future ahead of him, and I wish him all the best, but I'll be doing everything I can in training to convince the boss to give me my place back."
An almost constant figure in the Dons teams of past and present, Lewington has been limited to cup games and short cameos from the substitute's bench in recent weeks. Though he remains commited to the club for the short-term, the defender remained coy on his future.
"Will I still be at the club next season? Probably," assures Lewington,
"but after that? We'll see. I'm out of contract in a couple of years, and I'll have a chat with the manager come then to assess what we'll do after that. Until then, I'll continue to give everything I've got for this wonderful club."
MK Dons boss Karl Robinson refused to comment on the matter, instead opting to congratulate fellow youngster
Giorgio Rasulo on his first appearance for Italy Under-21s, during his latest press conference.
Sky Bet League 1
1 - 1
Jonathan Obika - Ben Reeves 60
Ben Reeves
2 - 1
Samir Carruthers 11, Danny Handling 27 - Callum McGregor 76
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Samir Carruthers
1 - 0
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Ben Reeves 24
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Samir Carruthers
4 - 2
James Coppinger 13, Callum Harriott 58, 89, Nuno Gomes 90+1 -
Tom Flanagan 63, Ben Reeves 65
Callum Harriott
3 - 0
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Ben Reeves 20, Danny Handling 47, Darren Potter (pen) 73
Michael Doughty 42
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Giorgio Rasulo
Capital One Cup, 2nd Round
3 - 2
Craig Cathcart 28, Andrew Keogh 48, Bobby Grant 65 - George Baldock 26, Ben Reeves 53
Bobby Grant
Overall a decent run of games, we're looking very solid at home although I'd like to pick up a few more points away from stadium:mk. The two losses were raw FM bullsh*t, nothing else to be said really, though I'm disappointed to have lost the unbeaten start, but oh well, it was always going to happen. Onwards and Upwards!
Player of the Episode
Name: Samir Carruthers
Date of Birth: 4 April 1993
Previous Clubs: Cambridge United, Arsenal (Youth), Aston Villa
Coach Report:![]()
Ben Reeves was the one scoring the goals this episode, but it was Irish U21 international Carruthers who put in the best performances, in my opinion. A stunning goal against Notts County, his first for the club, and a few outstanding games from midfield have convinced me to hand the award to yet another loanee. It's gonna be a big hole to fill, when he leaves.
As always, thanks a lot for reading, I hope you're enjoying the story so far as much as I am!
"I'm named after the QPR 1972-73 promotion-winning team for those of you that have been on the moon all the time I've been at [Brighton]"
- Anthony Philip David Terry Frank Donald Stanley Gerry Gordon Stephen James "Charlie" Oatway, former Brighton and now Sunderland coach.