Ex-QPRs: Kevin Gallen at MK Dons...Thirty Years Ago, Ernie Howe Debuts

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Kevin Gallen got MK Dons equalizer last night against Brentford (after having also scored last Saturday): Last night
MK Dons Official Site:"...68mins - GOAL! MK DONS 1 BRENTFORD 1 - KEVIN GALLEN
Relief sweeps through stadiummk as the Dons finally haul themselves level. Johnson tees up Wright to cross from the right low to the near post, Andrews holds off Osborne in front of the near post before rolling right, pulling the ball back and Gallen is there with a tap-in from eight yards." MK Dons

Speaking before the game...

MK DONS Official Site GALLEN READY FOR CHRISTMAS KICK-OFF
Striker Kevin Gallen is hoping the Dons can turn Scrooge this Christmas and show little generosity over the festive period.
Friday night's visit of Brentford to stadiummk will be the first of four games in 10 days for Paul Ince's league leaders as the annual fixture congestion kicks into gear.
A Boxing Day trip to Notts County and an away day at Darlington follow with Mansfield coming to Milton Keynes on New Year's Day.
And Gallen believes that while the prospect of so many matches can be a daunting one, if the Dons prepare correctly, a full points haul is not beyond them.
He said: "A lot of things can change for a team if you have a good Christmas.
"In an ideal world you're looking for maximum points. It's a big ask but we've proved already this season we're capable of a run like that.
"You don't really do a lot in training at this time of year, it's all about what you do on the pitch so you have to get the right preparation and pick up as many points as possible."
Gallen fired the opening goal the Dons' vital win at Peterborough last week to send Ince's men into the Christmas period on a three game winning run.
And the former QPR striker says he's enjoying being back in the side after injury brought an unwanted interruption to his first season in MK.
He said: "I haven't been playing much lately and haven't scored a goal in a little while so it was nice to see that one hit the back of the net on Saturday.
"The season was going alright for me, I was in the team and then I picked up an injury.
"It's been difficult to get back into the side because the lads who have been playing have done really well but you have to give them a chance. When the lads are winning games you're not likely to change much.
"But I've found myself back in the side, I've started the last two games and managed to score last Saturday so hopefully I can keep playing.
"If I can stay in the side and the lads keep winning then great."
The Dons will face a rejuvenated Bees side, after caretaker manager Andy Scott helped them end a seven-game losing streak with a win at Wrexham last Saturday.
And Gallen feels they'll be tough opposition if they play like most visiting teams at stadiummk.
He said: "Teams have been coming here, trying to defend and trying to nick a point. They pack the defence, pack the midfield and try to hit us on the break.
"We've got to be patient. Against Accrington Stanley we scored quite early and were able to dominate the whole game so we'll be looking to do something similar on Friday.
"But it's not going to be easy for us, I think they'll come with a game plan and we will have to break them down." MK Dons

THIRTY YEARS AGO, This week, Ernie Howe Joined QPR from Fulham for 50,000 pounds and made his QPR Debut(December 17) away to Liverpool, losing 1-0.
[Unfortunately of course, that means, thirty years ago, QPR sold Dave Needham to eventual First Champions Nottingham Forest.
Howe played just over 100 League games
before joining Portsmouth in August 1982. (Howe was unlucky not to play in the FA Cup Final). See Wikipedia/Ernie Howe Howe was manager of Bassingstoke for 13 years until 2006. In 2005, he won coach of the Year - Award to Howe