Emotions must be calmed but not removed from derby encounter

MK Dons' first trip to Plough Lane will carry a lot of emotions with it on Saturday, and Russell Martin is eager not to let that go completely unmentioned.

Though his side will be 'treating it like any other game', the fixture carries a lot of weight to both Dons supporters and owner Pete Winkelman.

Martin, who has experienced clashes between Ipswich and Norwich as well as the Old Firm game between Rangers and Celtic, said derbies always carry more emotional baggage with them and while it's important not to let it impact on the performance, it's also important not to forget the importance of the result.

He said: "We're treating it like any other game, with the focus on us but being aware of what the opposition have, their strengths and weaknesses. But it's also important for me to contextualise it.

"It's like any derby, it's difficult for players who haven't been at clubs for very long, I've played in some really big derbies, and when I was captain, I've had to remind players what it means to the supporters.

"As players, you treat it as another three points, but it's difficult not to get emotionally involved. When you do become emotional about it, it's harder for some people to manage that, and to put in a performance and not get carried away.

"But it's important to contextualise it for the players because it's very important to our supporters and the owner, and ultimately, that means it's important to us. We are aware of how much it means to everyone involved with the club."

Warren O'Hora, who played in the game at Stadium MK earlier this season when the sides shared a 1-1 draw, added: "I was a little bit aware of the history and obviously I'm more aware of it now. We need to take the emotion out of it a little bit and treat it as any other game. We want to play our game, control it as much as we can and the fans would love us to take three points home."