Robbie Neilson’s men travel to Greater Manchester to face Hyde United in the First Round of the Emirates FA Cup on Friday, as they look to overcome their recent Sky Bet League One form in England’s premier cup competition.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Neilson said in his pre-match press conference. “I think it’ll be a really good game. They’ve sold out their tickets, it’s on a Friday night, on the TV and it's on a good surface - so it’s a good one to go into.”
He added: “It’s the Emirates FA Cup, so it’s important that we go there with a strong team and put in a performance to be proud of.”
Here’s what else we learnt from Neilson’s pre-match press conference...
Remaining professional despite favourites tag...
“They [Hyde United] are probably the reason the game is on TV and we have to accept that – this is part and parcel of the Emirates FA Cup. They look for the smaller teams getting an opportunity to play against the bigger teams but we’re going to remain professional.
“We want to play the bigger teams and have the build-up and the drama that Hyde are getting.”
Adapting to the 4G surface at Ewen Fields...
“We’ve trained on a similar pitch in Central Milton Keynes this week, it has been fantastic and enabled us to get used to the surface ready to play some good football.
“Sometimes in the FA Cup, you can go to stadium’s where the pitch is terrible and there is a horrid gale – at least we know we are going to a good stadium that has a great surface.”
The Emirates FA Cup providing a break from league football...
“We’ve obviously had a lot of disappointment in the last couple of weeks. The previous month [October] was difficult for us after having such a good month before that.
“That’s football though, we have to take it on the chin and move on and now look to make this month a very good one for us - starting this against Hyde.
“In the latter periods against Bristol Rovers we played very well and dominated a lot of the possession, we just didn’t have that final ball.”
The atmosphere within the camp still high...
“The confidence in the changing room is still very good, they are in good spirits and working hard. It’s important we carry that into Friday’s game."
Memories of the Emirates FA Cup...
“It was always something I looked forward to when I was growing up. The FA Cup games were always on TV on a Saturday and obviously, you have the Emirates FA Cup Final at the end of the year, which was always a big game in Scotland.
“It’s something that I’ve grown up with and it’s good to be a part of it now. I played in it a few times for Leicester and it provides a great opportunity for teams like ourselves to progress as far as we can and get the exposure like we are getting on Friday night.”
No fresh injury concerns...
“We are all good, the lads are all looking well. We’ve got a couple of little niggles here and there but they should be fine.
“Peter [Pawllet] has been great this week, he’s had two full sessions and will look to have a final session this Thursday.”
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Tickets for Friday's tie with Hyde United are priced at just £10 adults, £6 seniors/under-18s and £3 under-16s in the standing area of the ground. A limited number of seated tickets are also available, priced at £15.
Travel, meanwhile, is available at £26 adults and £25 over-65s/under-18s. Season Ticket holders and members are entitled to a £1 discount on official away travel.
To book tickets and travel click here, visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343.
Tickets must be bought from the Club before midday on the day of the game. The limited number of seated tickets will be available until 5pm on Thursday. Tickets cannot be purchased or collected at Ewen Fields on the night.
