MK Dons make the long journey down to Plymouth Argyle tomorrow morning, ahead of their friendly against the Pilgrims on Sunday (21st).
Karl Robinson’s side haven’t lost in pre-season so far and most recently saw off Blue Square North outfit Brackley Town, 2-1. Argyle will be the first Football League opponent the Dons have faced in a friendly open to the public in 2013/14 (the match against Birmingham City earlier this month was played behind-closed-doors).
The ‘Green Army’ have only played three friendlies so far this summer but, like the Dons, have yet to taste defeat. Plymouth’s began their pre-season schedule with two victories over non-League duo Elburton Villa and Tiverton Town before drawing 0-0 with Bath City on Tuesday night.
Argyle have been relatively busy this summer in terms of transfers, signing no less than six players, five of which on permanent deals. John Sheridan pulled off somewhat of a coup when he persuaded Shrewsbury Town winger Marvin Morgan to drop down a level to sign a two-year-deal at Home Park, with Yeovil Town duo Dominic Blizzard and Ruben Reid two others who have agreed a move to Devon.
One player, however, who won’t be lining up for Argyle this season is winger Jason Banton, who joined the Dons on loan earlier this week, having spent the last three months of the 2012/13 campaign with the Pilgrims.
Banton will make the 460-mile round trip to Home Park this weekend with his new team-mates as well as midfielder Ben Reeves who has featured in two friendlies since signing a one-year-deal at stadiummk last Saturday.
Patrick Bamford, Robinson’s only other signing so far this season, will not travel due to an ankle injury with Jon Otsemobor (knee) and Dean Bowditch (groin) also ruled out. Goalkeeper David Martin, though, is set to be included in the squad, a week after limping off at Leighton Town.
With just two weeks to go, now, until the start of the 2013/14 Sky Beat League 1 season, Robinson is beginning the process of working out his strongest XI and the 33-year-old is looking forward to a difficult test this weekend.
Speaking to MK Dons Player, Robinson said: “I am (looking forward to it). We’re going to have a big, high energy day today and then we’ll travel tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, with a pitch session at one, a pitch session at six-thirty and a classroom session tomorrow night.
“So we’ll have three sessions tomorrow, then we’ll another classroom session on Sunday morning at 10 and then we’ll travel and play the game so we’re going to have five different sessions in two days.
“We’re starting to fit the last pieces of the jigsaw now. When we get back from Plymouth we’ll start fine tuning some of the players and then it will be every man for himself – the best eleven players will start the season, it’s as simple as that.”
Tickets are still available to buy for this game, through Plymouth Argyle’s Box Office only. Tickets are on sale at the following prices:
Adults: £11
Concessions: £6
A £1 booking fee applies to booking made online and by telephone.
Tickets for this game are on sale now. To purchase tickets call Plymouth Argyle on 0845 872 3335
