Wow. Well, of all the scenarios played out in my mind this morning, I didn't expect a thumping from a newly promoted side.

BUT, when we equalised at 1-1, we looked quite a threatening side going forward. Of course it all deteriorated and quickly, but if we're capable of playing that way, that has to be a good thing.

A few major matters of concern..

1) Evans still believes he can radically big bang change a whole team and it won't hold its negative consequences. Losing Morgan and Arnason together could be catastrophic. Worth noting that the whole back 5 was brand new, and what a reality check that was if we're thinking this season is going to be anything but hugely difficult. Losing Pringle was a big blow too. Easily one of our more creative players.

2) Substitutions. Other than the daft goals, we were doing ok. I expected the same team or subs to change our shape to support us going for it. But we crazily went more defensive with Danny Ward seemingly going wide left and Green and Frecks staying central. We played into their hands then, as they made us chase the ball as they knocked it around their defence. Truly baffling.

3) Defensive unit. Yes, individuals were poor, but the defensive unit as a whole today was completely vacant and they (MK) looked like they could make space and chances at will. Lack of tracking runners seemed to be thematic.

4) Captain choice - at one point our captain half-heartedly jumped for a header and it went out for a throw-in. He also didn't seem to be barking any kind of orders or doing anything a Captain should do. And that's notwithstanding his girly haircut.

5) Style of play - we've gone more direct/hoofball and that's disappointing to me. Losing someone as creative as Pringle and not starting Ladesma was always going to make it harder for us to play a fluid game, but that was painful to watch second half. In fact, even when we were on top in the first half (briefly), it was more due to hustle and bustle and unsettling them than anything creative. On the flip side though, our attacking set pieces did look more dangerous.

Players?

Roos 5 - Started ok but lost confidence hugely after the first few goals, and then he was very indecisive, slightly rash and communicated poorly with the defenders. Needs a few confidence boosting game to play himself into form. Think he'll be ok if he can do this.

Halford 5 - apparently he can play fullback but he didn't look like he could. Great long throw and great ball for Danny Ward second half but otherwise poor. Positionally suspect, hated players running at him and seemed unwilling to block the crosses which ended in us causing unnecessary panic. Didn't undertake his Captain duties either. Poor.

Collins 5 - I saw something that suggested he could be better, but today he was poor. Sloppy in possession, kept losing track of the runners and organisation was poor as he didn't help the young Thorpe at all by talking him through the game. Big improvement required.

Thorpe 4.5 - for me the worst of the lot. Painfully slow, always looked under pressure and uncertain, again didn't track runners, clumsy, awkward and poor distribution. I'm hoping it's because he was nervous but it was a woeful debut. Also missed a guilt-edge chance from a Halford throw-in that any kind of connection would've seen a goal. Annoyingly was quick to blame others for his own mistakes, too.

Newell 6 - more positive than the rest, made good runs, was the only one who tried to keep the ball on the deck and defended astutely at times, but other times less so. I can see a player in him.

Maguire - 5.5 bit of a head-down merchant at time, and did a few of those pointless measured clips into the centre-halves' heads, but was positive, good at times and seemed to have a bit of bite about him in a mainly toothless side.

Smallwood 5 - poor from him. Sometimes you wonder how he's a football with his inability to pass the ball. The one where he took years in a fullback position and then eventually played it to a yellow shirt anyway was embarrassing. Thankfully, Halford blocked the runner but the ref didn't see.

G Ward 5 - not in the game at all. Alright scoring belters when no-one's closing you down in friendlies, but this is real football, son. Needs to adapt to the pace and learn to impose himself in games a whole lot better than he did today, as he was non existent.

White 5 - difficult one to call this from his first half. Had a few bursts of pace, but lost track of the runner and put in a weak challenge for the second goal, and inexcusably missed that sitter from Derbyshire's spurned chance that dropped to him first half. I can only imagine the latter is the reason he was subbed, as taking him off meant we had no width or any outlet and effectively gave the game to the MK Dons.

Ward 5.5 - worked hard but nothing came off for him today. Seemed to struggle to get into the game which is disappointing. I'm usually a big fan.

Derbyshire 6 - scored the goal and was always in the thick of it. Should've either squared it or scored for the one where he was in acres of space and had lorryloads of time but the keeper saved it and it hit the bar, and the other where he tried to dribble round the keeper from a tight angle. Felt for him, though, as he tried hard and was the only one making good runs int he second half and we just lumped it up anyway.

So all in all a very bad day at the office. One big concern is at least when the old team (the one that Evans seems to have systematically dismantled very quickly in an extreme paranoia attack) was that they'd dig in when not playing well and grind out results. Can you honestly see that with this team? They buckled under the pressure and scrutiny, before finally going missing and giving up.

Perhaps this time the bookies are right? Major improvements required.