Robbo's history with MK Dons has no relevance says former boss

Oxford United boss Karl Robinson remains the longest serving manager ever at Stadium MK, but says his history with MK Dons has little bearing ahead of tonight's game at the Kassam Stadium.

The U's dropped to the bottom of the table on Saturday after Dons' 2-0 win over Gillingham saw them jump from 24th to 19th, and the sides meet tonight, kicking off at 7pm.

Robinson spent six-and-a-half seasons as manager, having been coach and assistant manager under Paul Ince before that, and led Dons to the Championship in 2015.

Since leaving in 2016, Dons crossed paths with Robinson at Charlton before he took up the post at the Kassam Stadium where he has been for two-and-a-half years. Given his history with Dons though, he is often one of the backstories leading into games with his former club. He insists though his time in Milton Keynes has no bearing on his preparations.

He said: "It doesn't have any relevance on the game whatsoever, just because I've got a ten-year history with a club as manager and assistant manager. Obviously I have fond memories, just as if I were to leave here tomorrow, I'd have fond memories.

"It will always be a club people associate me with, but it's nothing to do with me, and these fixtures never will be about me. MK Dons want to win for their own league campaign, and Oxford United want to win for our own league campaign. No extra work has gone into this game than any other."

Since taking over a year ago, the style of football introduced by Russell Martin is reminiscent of Robinson's. And the U's boss says he is an admirer of what Martin has done so far.

"They've found a manager that believes in a style of football that is suited to the players that are there," he continued. "He's a good manager. I know they got their first win on Saturday, but like us, a lot of their performances deserved more than they've got.

"It's nice to see a team under that pressure still playing in the right way. That's a tremendous testament to the manager and his staff, and to the owners who give you the support to do that."