MK Dons boss Karl Robinson has played down the importance of this weekend’s clash with Fulham – and claimed Slavisa Jokanovic’s side are feeling the pressure.
Fulham are only one point and one place above the Dons, who sit just inside the Championship’s relegation zone.
Whites defender Tim Ream has described Saturday’s game at Craven Cottage as the club’s “biggest game of the year”.
However, Robinson told the Milton Keynes Citizen: “Their players have been saying it’s the biggest game of their season, but every game is the same for us.
“Every game deserves a full attention to detail, and none more than another. The consequences may be different, but the way you approach it shouldn’t be any different.
“If your mentality changes from game to game, you’re a failure.”
Robinson said Fulham – a Premier League side two years ago, now potentially facing a drop into the third tier – had higher expectations than the Dons, who were promoted into the Championship only last season.
And he suggested the pressure of a relegation battle may stifle the Whites more than his side.
He said: “It’s quite surreal. I don’t think anyone would have believed you a few years ago if you’d have told them this would be the relegation battle.
“If you’re Fulham, they have to stay up. We want to stay up, we’re desperate to stay up, but that’s the difference.
“Pressure affects people differently, and it brings out anxiety and tension, and that breeds the mistakes.”