Paul Tisdale fully understands what tonight’s Carabao Cup clash means to the MK Dons supporters but believes it’s important he and his MK Dons approach it as they would any other cup tie.
The Dons travel to the Cherry Red Records Stadium this evening to face AFC Wimbledon for the first time since January 2018.
It will be Tisdale’s first meeting with AFC Wimbledon as MK Dons manager and the 46-year-old is looking forward to the tie as well as the opportunity to progress in the Carabao Cup competition.
“If I want to give a very objective and pragmatic answer, it is the next game and a game we want to win,” Tisdale told the media after Saturday’s victory over Shrewsbury Town at Stadium MK.
“It is only a game but a cup game with added tension given the nature of the fixture. I’m certainly not forgetting the importance of the game to everyone here - I know it’s a big game for all concerned.
“I’m really looking forward to it, my first experience of the fixture, I know the players will be too and we’ll be going into it to do our very best.”
Tisdale was also asked about his view on the Carabao Cup and how his side would be approaching the competition this term.
“We approach every game wanting to win it,” he said. “We are football people and we want to win football games.
“It’s not a league game and it’s always a conundrum when it comes a couple of days after your first game of the season. We were pleased this year that the cup tie was originally meant for the second week of the season but it’s ended up being in the first week for us.
“No matter what you play in pre-season, the first game always puts strain on the body like you can’t get in a friendly so the players, for the first time this season, are battered and bruised and we’re straight into a cup game three days later. That’s the conundrum.
“I will be assessing which players are capable of playing two 90 minutes and which players aren’t. Also there are one or two players who were close to being selected on Saturday and this may provide them with an opportunity to put their case forward.”
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Tickets are no longer available to buy from the Box Office and won't be sold to away supporters at the Cherry Red Records Stadium this evening.
Fans who aren’t able to make the trip to the Cherry Red Records Stadium will be able to watch the match live and in full at Stadium MK, with tickets on sale to all those registered on the Club’s ticketing database prior to Friday 19 July.
Tickets are priced at £10 for adults and £8 under-18s while Season Ticket holders are entitled to a £2 discount on adult prices. Food and drink will be available to buy on the night.
To book tickets visit the Box Office at Stadium MK or call 0333 200 5343. Tickets will also be available to buy on the night.
