MK Dons captain Alex Gilbey has called Thursday's derby at AFC Wimbledon a 'massive' game for the club and its supporters. The fixture at Plough Lane takes on extra weight with his side still searching for their first League One victory this season.
Gilbey, who has played in nine of the 18 meetings between the clubs since 2012, said players must put personal ego aside. He stressed the match is for the fanbase and everyone connected to the club, acknowledging the deep-seated rivalry that surrounds it.
"This one is massive. I’m a football fan, so I know what these sorts of games mean," Gilbey said. He added that the intensity is a given. "Going to their place especially, they’ll want to kill us and we want to kill them."
He believes head coach Paul Warne is perfectly equipped to guide the team through the occasion, citing his extensive experience. The Dons have not beaten AFC Wimbledon in their last four attempts, a run they are desperate to end.
For AFC Wimbledon, the game is a chance to solidify a strong start. They sit 7th in the table with 10 points from six matches and are on a two-game winning streak after beating Doncaster 1-0 last time out.
Myles Hippolyte, their top scorer with three goals, netted the winner against Doncaster. The Dons, in contrast, are 20th and under pressure. The historical record is evenly split, with each side winning nine of the 18 previous clashes. Thursday's match kicks off at Plough Lane.
The report in full is at Milton Keynes Citizen
