Who do MK Dons want to face in the FA Cup third round?
The side are into the third round draw for the first time since 2020/21
For the first time in five years, MK Dons fans will have a vested interest in the FA Cup third round draw on Monday night, eagerly anticipating who they might see their side drawn against as the country’s top clubs enter the competition.
Not since the behind-closed-doors Covid season of 2020/21 have Dons reached the third round, having beaten Eastleigh and Barnet before being beaten by Premier League side Burnley in January 2021.
With the Premier League and Championship sides entering the competition at this stage, Dons’ wins over fellow League Two sides Colchester and Oldham could potentially set them up with a big money-spinning tie, though they could just as easily come up against teams from the third and fourth tier, or even lower.
For head coach Paul Warne, he has his heart set on a home clash for the third round, admitting his side are unlikely to make it all the way to the final in May and should make hay while they can.
“I don’t think we’re going to Wembley, but it would be nice to have a game which excited people,” he said. “That could be Sheffield United at home, Southampton, Brighton at home.
“I want a home game against a team from a higher level. I think it would also show how far away we are from the direction we want to be. A good home game would be great.”
One thing he does not want though is a potential banana skin against a team from lower down the pyramid intent on their own moment in the sun and causing an upset against his side.
He continued: “I just don’t want the worst team left in it, you’re thinking ‘please no,’ going to a ground you’ve got to swim to, because that’ll be changed to Sunday afternoon at 3pm for TV! Hopefully, not one of those! At home, I’m happy, if not at home, within 50 miles would be great!
“Everyone wants to see a game they don’t normally see. You want to watch your players against much better ones. I’ll look forward to the draw.”
Midfielder Liam Kelly meanwhile, who scored Dons’ second goal in the 3-1 win over Oldham on Saturday to ease Dons into the hat, does not mind who the side get drawn against.
Earlier in his career at Reading, Kelly played 90 minutes at Old Trafford in a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United in the third round, a moment he said is as big for the families of players as much as the players themselves.
He added: “I’ve always enjoyed the FA Cup, I’ve had a few big games, playing Manchester United away, so it’s a special one for me. It’s a special day for the families, getting to watch us play at these big clubs.
“We have gone into both games wanting to win, we did that at Colchester and again today, and you never know who you might get in the third round on Monday. I’ll take anyone at this point, whoever!”