MK Dons v Barnsley
The FA Cup with Budweiser
Fifth Round Proper
3pm, Saturday 16 February 2013
stadium:mk, MK Dons FC
Winning clubs receive £180,000 from The FA's Prize Fund
Click here for fixtures
By Zarif Rasul

Karl Robinson is just three months away from reaching his third anniversary as MK Dons manager; but on Saturday he could see his team set their own memorable 'treble'.

While Luton Town and Oldham Athletic have received widespread plaudits for their giantkilling feats this season, MK Dons have quietly been knocking out the big boys too - and could do the same again this weekend.

The League One side, who have already eliminated Sheffield Wednesday and QPR from this year’s FA Cup, will face Barnsley - another team above them in the football pyramid - for a spot in the last eight of the competition.

Robinson, however, insists there is no secret to triumphing against teams from the top two tiers. 

When asked what he tells his players before facing more illustrious opponents, he told TheFA.com: “I don’t know really – just go out and enjoy it.

"And they tend to respond to whatever we’ve said. Our preparation is not too dis-similar whether we’re playing Yeovil away or QPR away. 

“It’s very structured, a lot of in-depth detail goes into it and it’s just down to the players to perform to the level that they can.”

The affable Liverpudlian’s side are undoubtedly creating their own slices of history, and he says the highly personal nature of The FA Cup makes it the most unique club competition in the world.

He added: “There are a number of memories with The FA Cup – every kid’s got a story to tell. 

“I’ve got so many. Ian Rush’s header from John Barnes’ cross in The Final of 1989, and also in 1986 with Craig Johnston at the backpost - Liverpool went on to win the 'double' that year.

“I think we sometimes forget the uniqueness of The FA Cup.

"You have amateur players, semi-professionals and you have the lower league players from English football. 

"And then you have the Championship players and the Premier League players and the best players in the world. 

“So every spectrum of player is incorporated in this one competition. There’s only one cup competition in the world that could create this, and that’s The FA Cup.”

Fans at the Stadium mk on Saturday will get the chance to see indie-rockers The Pigeon Detectives perform a pre-match set, and Robinson says the occasion will be particularly special for one of his players.

“I believe they (the band) were in the year below Alan Smith at his school," he added.

“I’m not too sure how many actually went! But it’ll be nice to have a concert before the game – it’ll be great for the fans and hopefully it will add to the occasion.”