Ireland training trip is no holiday for the squad

Karl Robinson insists Dons' trip to Ireland this week is for an intensive training camp, not a holiday.
MK Dons in trainingMK Dons in training
MK Dons in training

The squad flew to the Emerald Isle on Wednesday to train in conditions most like those they are likely to play in this season.

Robinson admits he’s not an advocate of heading to the continent in the search for sun, rather sticking to what they know works.

“We know Ireland really well,” Robinson said. “We’re heading to the same training pitches again.

“I’m not an advocate of going to Spain, being sat on the beach and posting them on Snapchat and Twitter like I’ve seen some players do.

“We look for climate. We don’t play at altitude so there’s no point in training at altitude.

“What’s the point in going to Portugal if the players cannot train past 11am?

“You have to train in a climate you’re used to, to perform at the right levels. I’d only go to Ireland, Scotland, Holland maybe. The climate has to be like where we play.”