MATCH PREVIEW: Healthy respect between the bosses

There's no sign of a bitter rivalry between the respective managers of Peterborough United and MK Dons ahead of tomorrow's (August 27) League One clash at stadium:mk.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson (left).MK Dons manager Karl Robinson (left).
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson (left).

The clubs have clashed repeatedly in big games in the last decade, during which Posh chief Grant McCann and MK boss Karl Robinson have developed a healthy respect for each other.

McCann admits he looks up to a manager he is desperate to beat tomorrow.

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“It’s great what Karl and his club have achieved in recent seasons,” McCann said. “The club stuck with their manager and his hard work and dedication was eventually rewarded with promotion to the Championship.

Grant McCann scores a penalty for Posh at MK Dons in a League One play-off semi-final at stadium:mk in 2011.Grant McCann scores a penalty for Posh at MK Dons in a League One play-off semi-final at stadium:mk in 2011.
Grant McCann scores a penalty for Posh at MK Dons in a League One play-off semi-final at stadium:mk in 2011.

“It was a shame for them that they were relegated straight away, but they will be stronger for the experience and even more determined to get back there.

“I look up to Karl and respect what he achieved. MK Dons are a bit like us as they are not afraid to play youngsters and they occasionally sell good ones, like Dele Alli for instance.

“I think Karl even tried to sign me as a player on a couple of occasions, but obviously we will be both be desperate to win tomorrow’s match.”

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Robinson was also keen to confirm his respect for McCann and for Posh as a whole.

Grant McCann scores a penalty for Posh at MK Dons in a League One play-off semi-final at stadium:mk in 2011.Grant McCann scores a penalty for Posh at MK Dons in a League One play-off semi-final at stadium:mk in 2011.
Grant McCann scores a penalty for Posh at MK Dons in a League One play-off semi-final at stadium:mk in 2011.

“We know the importance of the game to our fans,” Robinson stated. “We also know the fans want a Twitter ‘war’ or whatever afterwards, but we have a lot of respect for them, as they have for us, and that goes all the way up to boardroom level.

“We go into every game wanting to win, but there is a bit more spice to this one, albeit in the stands rather than on the green stuff.

“It will be Grant’s first experiemnce of the game as a manager, but he’s played in the fixture enough times to know what to expect. One thing’s for sure, we will both try and win the game in the right way.

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“Peterborough have a lot of qualities. Individually they are very good. They can rotate and they are aggressive out of possession. They are quick and dynamic in defence. They beat Millwall 5-1 which shows they have the firepower as well.

“We usually put on a good show against them at our place and they usually beat us at their place. It will be a great game of football whatever the result.”