A look into the future

Tomorrow night on Sky Sports 1, MK Dons play Colchester United. It's a great opportunity for those of you who will be renewing your season tickets come-what-may, to get a view of what we will be watching come August. Under Roberto di Matteo, MK Dons are clear in second place and there's every chance we won't play them next season, but Colchester United are back in 11th and they look increasingly like the club we are now modelling ourselves on.

There's every chance that some of those on view, particularly the Colchester players, could be playing on loan at the Valley next season. Phil Parkinson will be gone by then of course but Mark Kinsella is preparing himself for a seamless handover and is already leading all the touchline urging and the half-time team-bonding sessions. Phil Chapple looks like he's playing the long-game, although expect a Peterborough player or two to join in pre-season to mark his elevation to assistant manager and least cost fall-back option should it not work out under Kins.

No apologies for all the ongoing negativity. They deserve it and it saves me barking at the wife and kids.