Top 5 Reasons MK Dons Will Earn Promotion to the Championship

MK Dons have earned a reputation as League One's "nearly men" but finally look ready for promotion to the Championship, thanks to a squad that is versatile and resilient, with a delicate balance of youth and experience.

Even after a shock defeat to lowly Coventry, Karl Robinson's side are finely poised in second place, with a 17-point gap over seventh-placed Chesterfield, which almost guarantees them at least a spot in the play-offs.

While they have come close to going up in the past, they have lacked several of the key components that have made this Dons side a real contender. 

MK have hit the headlines in recent months because of a proposed groundshare with Tottenham Hotspur but could be set to fill more seats on their own with a first promotion to the Championship since their move to Milton Keynes.

Loanees: The Dons would not be where they are without the help of a few borrowed players. Benik Afobe made his way to Wolves in January, but the former Arsenal loanee scored a number of crucial goals for the Dons in the first half of the season.

In a similar vein, MK have secured the signing of Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker until the end of the season.

George Williams, another Dons Academy product, has also re-signed for the club on loan from Fulham in a bid to bolster their attack as they make their final push for promotion.

Work ethic: One reason why the Coventry defeat was so disappointing was the Dons' work rate from start to finish. After going 2-0 down, MK did not allow Coventry to have another shot on target and at least got some reward with Daniel Powell's goal.

That may not have been enough on the day, but it will hold them in good stead going into the final months of what has been a gruelling season.

Robinson has made it a policy to discover young English talents and has not been afraid to put them straight into the action.

At 18 years old, Dele Alli has been instrumental in the Dons' good form, which has in turn earned him a move to Tottenham. 

Since returning to MK on loan, he has already scored two goals in four games. 

Alli is currently back at White Hart Lane receiving treatment for an ankle injury that should keep him out for six weeks. However, along with Brendan Galloway, who departed for Everton in the summer, Alli has proven once again how pivotal the Dons' Academy is for the first team.

Liverpool's Sheyi Ojo also began his career in Milton Keynes, and his loan spell at Wigan is a further reminder that the Dons are gradually developing one of the most thriving academies in the league.

Despite an impressive run of 17 wins in 32 games, their season has not been without its setbacks. Bradford City have already beaten the Dons home and away, while Walsall shocked stadium:mk with a 3-0 win there in December.

More recently, a trip to the Ricoh Arena ended in disaster as Coventry shocked the Dons' travelling contingent. However, the Dons have consistently been able to pick themselves up from disappointing results.

Having lost out to bitter rivals AFC Wimbledon in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, an early cup exit has allowed the Dons to focus on League One. It is clear they are reaping the rewards, recognising the importance of an increasingly likely promotion over any potential trips to Wembley in May.

On a relatively quiet transfer deadline day, ex-captain Keith Andrews slipped seamlessly back to his former club.

Andrews led the Dons to an extraordinary double of the League Two title and Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2008, but his success saw him depart for Blackburn.

The 34-year-old also added to his wealth of experience at an international level, travelling to Euro 2012 with the Republic of Ireland. It is understood that Andrews will be aiding boss Karl Robinson in his coaching duties, so his knowledge on and off the field will be invaluable.

After his time away, Andrews has had an opportunity to see just how far the Dons have come, telling the Bristol Post that the current side is "unrivalled" to the other sides he was part of at the club.  

That strength of character could not have come without the help of veterans in the squad. 

MK have the perfect blend of experienced players, such as captain Dean Lewington and David Martin, to fit into a relatively young outfit.

Alli's injury is undoubtedly a massive setback, but the Dons have a number of back-up options who can fill in for him. Samir Carruthers proved he is a more-than-capable replacement against Peterborough.

Karl Robinson told MK News Alli "needs to be protected more" by referees, but regardless of his disappointment at the youngster's injury, he has several options who are capable of filling in for him. Ben Reeves and Mark Randall both have the versatility to play in Alli's position.

Versatility has been absolutely pivotal, particularly since Alli's injury. 

It is this willingness to adapt that has allowed the Dons to play such convincing football this season, culminating in the record-breaking 7-0 win over Oldham.

Manager Karl Robinson may be the Football League’s second youngest coach behind Norwich's Alex Neil, but after just under five years at stadium:mk, he is now the fifth longest-serving manager in English football.

Stability is so often talked about in football but is rarely implemented. The Dons are seeing the results of such a policy. 

Whatever that says about the Football League's managerial merry-go-round, it is a key reason for the Dons' transformation. The 3-0 win over Peterborough shows just how far Robinson's men have come in a fairly short space of time. In what is usually a close affair, MK Dons were dominant throughout, leading their rivals to dispense with manager Darren Ferguson days later.   

While Ferguson has been in and out of London Road, not least because of a strained relationship with Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony, Dons boss Pete Winkelman has stood by Robinson even as they struggled in mid-table last season.

The Dons hit three goals in the first half, leaving a shell-shocked Peterborough to look on at the two clubs' respective reversals of fortune.