Samir Carruthers to MK Dons (Don’s Fan Opinion)

Submitted By: James Blackwell

I just wanted to introduce myself to explain why I am writing this article. I am an MK Dons season ticket holder and have been since they moved to Milton Keynes when I was aged 10. Before the move Aston Villa were always my team, and have been an armchair fan since. Go to the odd game, wear the odd shirt and watched them on TV. For that reason I classify myself as an MK Dons fan – which is likely to receive criticism, and understandably so but I support my local team. However I always look out for the Villa.

Samir Carruthers was revealed as a new loanee signing for MK Dons this morning and this really excites me. A lot of Villa fans were surprised as they expected him to potentially break into the first team this campaign, and I have mixed feelings about this move.

Whilst the move may appear to be good so he can get game time, his opportunities may be surprisingly limited. The Dons have played with a 4-2-3-1 formation since Karl Robinson took charge. The two central midfielders and attacking midfielders have been in the past 2 seasons Stephen Gleeson 83 times, Darren Potter 86 and Luke Chadwick 93 and they have featured 83, 86 and 93 times respectively. In this period both Gleeson and Chadwick missed months through injury yet when recovered walked back into the side. They have also added Southampton midfielder Ben Reeves to the side and have 17 year old Dele Alli to choose, the latter has attracted rumoured interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in recent weeks. The two wing positions are up for grabs with usual starters Bowditch and Powell both currently sidelined, but the addition of Palace winger Jason Banton and the arrival of youngster George Baldock means there are competition for places. My point is, the Dons have a system. They will always stick to this formation, and the side is talented. Carruthers is not going to walk straight into the side at all. He is likely to be used on the wings or as a substitute if they wish to utilise him in the No.10 role.

If Carruthers does prove to be a significant improvement on the current side and can play the system which Robinson loves, things could look great for his development. MK Dons player the best standard of L1 football you are likely to see. The manager was dubbed by FourFourTwo magazine as the ‘Scouse Guardiola’. We played nice football, on the floor the way it should be. The 4-2-3-1 formation is quite similar to the 4-3-2-1 used with Lambert. There are definite similarities between the sides on the pitch.

I hope Samir gets the game time at the Dons because he is very very talented indeed, but the mentality of most Villa fans I have seen online is just that ‘he will get game time’. Currently, I am not sure how much time he will get the time he deserves, if he does though there is no better club in my eyes for either a Villa player to be sent out to.