NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 28/07/2010 12:51 -
Updated: 28/07/2010 14:33
MK Dons will test themselves against ‘the best of the best’ tonight when they host West Ham United in a pre-season friendly at stadiummk.
The Premier League side head to MK having already recorded victories over Peterborough United, VfL Borussia Monchengladbach and Panathinaikos during their preparations for another season in the top flight.
While the Dons were unbeaten, with wins at Oxford City, St Neots Town, Kettering Town and Aylesbury, until a young Dons XI fell to defeat at Newport Pagnell Town.
During those games boss Karl Robinson has tinkered with his side and he now believes he is close to knowing his starting 11 for the League One opener at Walsall in ten days time.
One of those could be striker Jabo Ibehre after Tranmere Rovers manager Les Perry revealed his approach for the former-Walsall man had been turned down by the Dons.
And Robinson is expected to name his strongest available team tonight against the Hammers, he said: “Out of the 22 players there is probably about 14 that could still get in to my first 11, and I know the ones that won’t. Don’t take Wednesday’s game as the team that will start the season, because it’s an opportunity for them to keep themselves fit against what you’d class as the best of the best.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world and there’s a reason these players play in it, because they’re extremely gifted.”
Avram Grant, appointed successor to Gianfranco Zola in closed season, will give his World Cup stars a run out this evening and in their final friendly against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Grant could welcome back Robert Green, Jonathan Spector, Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami for their first pre-season action.
Hammers’ new boys Mexican winger Pablo Barrera and France international Frederic Piquionne may also be included.
Robinson, who will continue to monitor the performance of former-West Brom and Southampton defender Pele before making a decision on his future with the club, is expecting a tough 90 minutes from the Upton Park men.
“I’m looking forward to it - it’s one for the fans. We can apply ourselves in a good manner and make it hard for them, I still want us to play football.
“We’ve got to move the ball even quicker against West Ham because they’re very talented players and if you don’t move it quickly they’ll take it off you and punish you because of the quality they’ve got.
“We’ve got to be on our A-game because West Ham on their A-game will be an extremely difficult challenge.
"The Premier League teams don’t always win their pre-season games, I know having been at Liverpool and Blackburn, this is what they call their serious two to three weeks.
"They start putting together their strongest team, I'm sure West Ham will bring a very talented bunch of players and make it very difficult for us.”
Dons’ travel to Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday, and their pre-season will be completed at home to Birmingham City on Tuesday.
Log on to www.mk-news.co.uk for match reports at the final whistle.
TICKETS are still on sale for the West Ham game, KO 7.30pm. £10 adults, £6 concessions and £1 for under-16s in all areas except clubRed. Dons fans can also buy their tickets for the Birmingham City friendly.
The Premier League side head to MK having already recorded victories over Peterborough United, VfL Borussia Monchengladbach and Panathinaikos during their preparations for another season in the top flight.
While the Dons were unbeaten, with wins at Oxford City, St Neots Town, Kettering Town and Aylesbury, until a young Dons XI fell to defeat at Newport Pagnell Town.
During those games boss Karl Robinson has tinkered with his side and he now believes he is close to knowing his starting 11 for the League One opener at Walsall in ten days time.
One of those could be striker Jabo Ibehre after Tranmere Rovers manager Les Perry revealed his approach for the former-Walsall man had been turned down by the Dons.
And Robinson is expected to name his strongest available team tonight against the Hammers, he said: “Out of the 22 players there is probably about 14 that could still get in to my first 11, and I know the ones that won’t. Don’t take Wednesday’s game as the team that will start the season, because it’s an opportunity for them to keep themselves fit against what you’d class as the best of the best.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world and there’s a reason these players play in it, because they’re extremely gifted.”
Avram Grant, appointed successor to Gianfranco Zola in closed season, will give his World Cup stars a run out this evening and in their final friendly against Ipswich Town on Saturday.
Grant could welcome back Robert Green, Jonathan Spector, Matthew Upson and Valon Behrami for their first pre-season action.
Hammers’ new boys Mexican winger Pablo Barrera and France international Frederic Piquionne may also be included.
Robinson, who will continue to monitor the performance of former-West Brom and Southampton defender Pele before making a decision on his future with the club, is expecting a tough 90 minutes from the Upton Park men.
“I’m looking forward to it - it’s one for the fans. We can apply ourselves in a good manner and make it hard for them, I still want us to play football.
“We’ve got to move the ball even quicker against West Ham because they’re very talented players and if you don’t move it quickly they’ll take it off you and punish you because of the quality they’ve got.
“We’ve got to be on our A-game because West Ham on their A-game will be an extremely difficult challenge.
"The Premier League teams don’t always win their pre-season games, I know having been at Liverpool and Blackburn, this is what they call their serious two to three weeks.
"They start putting together their strongest team, I'm sure West Ham will bring a very talented bunch of players and make it very difficult for us.”
Dons’ travel to Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday, and their pre-season will be completed at home to Birmingham City on Tuesday.
Log on to www.mk-news.co.uk for match reports at the final whistle.
TICKETS are still on sale for the West Ham game, KO 7.30pm. £10 adults, £6 concessions and £1 for under-16s in all areas except clubRed. Dons fans can also buy their tickets for the Birmingham City friendly.
