Robbie Neilson is excited by the prospect of facing AFC Wimbledon on his home debut.
This weekend Neilson will lead MK Dons out for the first time at Stadium MK since being appointed manager last week and, in terms of his opponents, the 36-year-old couldn’t have picked a better team.
“You want to play in the biggest games and this is one of the biggest games in this league,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference. “Hopefully the atmosphere is good and they can put in a performance and get a result.
“I knew the history of it but from the outside I didn’t really know the ins and outs. Since I’ve been here, speaking to people, I can see the huge significance it has – it’s important that I know that, the players know that too.
“This week has all been focused towards this game on Saturday. The decision made on the team for Tuesday was about looking at players and giving them an opportunity but also to make sure the players are ready for this game on Saturday.
“It’s important we’re ready. When you’re involved in these big games it’s intense and football sometimes gets put to the side for 10 to 15 minutes during the game. We aren’t there to get involved in all that stuff, we are there to perform and win the game.”
“You want to play in the biggest games and this is one of the biggest games in this league,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference. “Hopefully the atmosphere is good and they can put in a performance and get a result.
“I knew the history of it but from the outside I didn’t really know the ins and outs. Since I’ve been here, speaking to people, I can see the huge significance it has – it’s important that I know that, the players know that too.
“This week has all been focused towards this game on Saturday. The decision made on the team for Tuesday was about looking at players and giving them an opportunity but also to make sure the players are ready for this game on Saturday.
“It’s important we’re ready. When you’re involved in these big games it’s intense and football sometimes gets put to the side for 10 to 15 minutes during the game. We aren’t there to get involved in all that stuff, we are there to perform and win the game.”
“It would give us that catalyst to kick on for the rest of the season and it would start to make this place a ground that people don’t want to come to.”
“It’s been a difficult period, with the club not having a home (league) win for such a long period but you have to win at some point and Saturday will hopefully be the game.
“The key for us is winning football matches here,” Neilson said.
As well as being Neilson’s home bow and a meeting with a rival team, Saturday’s clash is also an opportunity for the Dons to secure a long-awaited first league success at Stadium MK – something the Club’s new boss wants to do as soon as possible.
Tickets for Saturday's clash with AFC Wimbledon at Stadium MK are priced from £22 adults, £17 over-65s/under-21s and £7 under-18s, while there are discounts available for members and groups.
To purchase tickets click here, visit the Box Office/centre:mk kiosk or call 0333 200 5343. Restrictions apply.
