A 3-0 victory over Chesterfield was sixth in the bounce, and we saw it in an ominous way.
Pre-season promotional favourites seemed to justify that mantle.
However, fast forward for about two months and the photos are very different.
With only two wins in 14 games, he pulled Don down from fourth to 16th. They are now closer to the relegation zone than the fifth city shaking in the valley parade tomorrow.
Even in the department, which saw more ups and downs than most, it was a shocking fall from bounty.
“At the beginning of the season, we all have preconceived notions about who can compete on the top,” said city boss Graham Alexander.
“But I know how football works and there is a lot of things you have to do right to make it happen.
“I've been there a bit, but don't pay attention to MK every week. I'll play next, so I'll focus on them only now.
“To be honest, I can't tell you why they're not at the top, that's not my focus, Bradford City.
“We see their recent performances and understand how they play. But as always, we have to do what we do. .
“But football is full of that. Who do you think Man United will be in 15th place in the Premier League?
“That's how the game works.”
Scott Lindsay, Alexander's best friend who piloted Crawley in promotions last season, returned to League 2 to acquire MK Helm at the end of September when Mike Williamson was doomed to Carlisle.
He swooped for his city's Notts County nemesis Dan Crowley during the winter window, but the results continued to end.
The dynamic midfielder, who celebrated his 3-0 defeat at Meadow Lane Pre-Christmas, was on the winner's side only once on eight outings for his new club.
But Alexander knows the threats lurking beneath the surface despite the formbook.
“I've heard me talk to the teams I played at the bottom of the table about how tight those games were.
“We don't approach them in negative ways, shapes and shapes, or the way we relax about them.
“We have this balance in how we compete. I don't go overboard. I don't overestimate or underestimate the enemy.
“I see it as black and white, this is what they do and don’t, and this is what we’re trying to do.
“It's very simple, but I think it helps players stay focused on what they need to do first and foremost, or they'll be the second best anyway.
“MK obviously invested a lot of money in the team in the summer and January, but every division has a lot of excellent players across the league.
“My belief is that there's nothing like a bad professional footballer. There's clearly a different level, but everyone has motivations, organized, and there's an analysis.
“There's very little margin between teams, so you have to do a lot right to make sure they go your way.”
