Stephen Gleeson has only one aim this weekend – to extend MK Dons’ unbeaten run in Sky Bet League 1.
It is the first time Peterborough United and MK Dons have gone head-to-head since Posh knocked the Dons out of the play-offs in 2010/11. There are no thoughts of revenge or righting a wrong for the Dons’ vice-captain though, he is just keen to get three points for the Dons’ current campaign.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s game Gleeson said: “We want to extend the unbeaten run, not because it’s Peterborough, because we want to keep the run going and there’s a good vibe in the changing room at the moment. It’s nice to say that we haven’t been beaten in the League, it doesn’t matter who we’re playing in the League this Saturday or next Saturday, we want to remain unbeaten in the League and I think this is definitely our biggest challenge of the season so far.“
Gleeson, more so than any other Dons player, would have every right to still feel aggrieved by the play-off defeat by Peterborough. The midfielder was sent-off in the first-leg, the decision which was later rescinded but the damage had already been done as Peterborough were able to convert from the penalty spot and the momentum swung in Posh’s favour.
The 25-year-old though refuses to dwell on the events of years gone by and now as one of the more experienced players in the Dons’ camp he is hoping he can help inspire the Dons to victory at London Road but he knows it will be a hard task.
“It was out of the way after the game really, everyone knew it was a mistake, everyone knew it shouldn’t have been a penalty or a sending off. At the time I was hurt but we went to London Road and we didn’t get the result we needed. It’s in the past, they went up and we stayed here so it’s just another game for us.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a unique ground where the fans seem to be right on you and it’s going to be an atmosphere that maybe some of the younger lads haven’t experienced. I’m sure the Gaffer will let them know and I’m sure come Saturday at 3 o’clock they will know and they’ll get a bit of abuse as well. We just need to go there and perform, maybe this is like when we went to Sheffield United and it’s the experienced players who need to pull the young lads through.
“I think every footballer enjoys going into the Lions’ Den, everyone is against you but to come out of there with a result when no one expects you to do it is a great feeling. I can’t wait. We went to Sheffield United and probably played our worst game of the season but scored in the 88th minute and it was a great feeling coming back on the coach. I think the lads will probably want that feeling again on Saturday.”
Both sides head into the match in great form with the Dons unbeaten in the League while Peterborough sit in second place in the table having won five of their opening seven matches.
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