Fond memories of Martin's first league win as Dons boss

Games against Oxford last season hold something of a significance for MK Dons.

While the game at the Kassam Stadium was the first to be cancelled when the pandemic began, it was the home fixture which saw Russell Martin earn his first League One victory as manager back in December 2019.

Karl Robinson's side had come to Stadium MK on an incredible unbeaten run, but Joe Mason's goal on the hour put an end to that, while earning Dons their first three points in threemo nths.

"I think they came to us 16 unbeaten, no one fancied us," said Russell Martin. "We were building something that was slowly clicking into gear. No one expected it, it was a turbulent time as my wife was in hospital the day before so I had a real relief after the final whistle. We were so good defensively and going forward and it was a really good game of football."

While Dons would avoid relegation, Oxford would go on to Wembley for the play-off final, though would lose out to Wycombe Wanderers for a spot in the Championship. Heading to the Kassam Stadium tomorrow night, Oxford find themselves bottom of the table after Dons' first win of the campaign against Gillingham on Saturday.

With some bizarre results in all of England's leagues at the start of this season, Martin admits he is unsure what to expect from League One this season, but knows his side will be in for a tough test against the former Dons' boss.

He said: "They play a good style of football so it’ll be a good game, it’ll be a tough one and under complete difference circumstances. It’s two teams who are getting better, they aren’t far off winning and we need to make sure it isn’t against us.

"I didn’t know what to expect this season to be honest. It’s such early days in the table won’t look anything like it does now. Hull, Sunderland, Ipswich, people expect them to be there because of how good their squad is. Other than that it’s pretty open, it’s hard to predict game to game and that’ll be the case for five or 10 games.

"Christmas time it’ll take shape and teams will show what they are fighting for. Hopefully but that point we are in a different position, I think it’s the same for Oxford. They are a really good team and have a really good style with a good manager who has loads of experience. We need to focus on what we are doing and be aware of what the other team possess and their dangers."