Mark Robinson will not mind if Sussex's keenly anticipated showdown with Lancashire at Lord's is not the thriller everyone hopes it will be.

The prospect of a repeat of the county's last Lord's appearance against Warwickshire in 1993, which was not settled until Dermot Reeve hit the final ball for four, does not appeal to Sussex's coach in the slightest.

He would be quite happy if it was the most one-sided final ever and was finished before his beloved Hull City's soccer match against Coventry is over.

Just as long as it is Chris Adams and his players who are cavorting on the Lord's outfield afterwards.

Robinson, ever the pragmatist, is determined his players, many of whom will be experiencing the atmosphere of a Lord's full house for the first time, enjoy the special occasion.

But he is desperate that they are not remembered just as gallant losers.

He said: "Everyone talks about out it being a great day out which it is, but only if we win.

"We're not going there and treating it as a Sunday School outing. We are there to win and win easily if it's possible and if that ruins everyone's day then so be it. I don't want to get wrapped up in the romance of the occasion."

Fighting talk, perhaps, but there is also a healthy respect for the opposition and, in particular, his opposite number Mike Watkinson.

"I like Lancashire, particularly the way Mike is trying to develop his squad with young players," he said.

"They are like us in that regard, they are trying to build things the right way and the final is a fair reflection of the county season in that the two best counties are involved.

"But we worry about ourselves. Nine out of ten team talks I give are about our team and not the opposition and it won't be any different on Saturday."

Most of the build-up - certainly outside Sussex - in the next couple of days will undoubtedly focus on Lancashire, arguably the biggest county in the country but one whose achievements have not reflected the massive resources available to them as a Test match county.

"They are a good side but a county like Lancashire should be getting to cup finals, winning trophies and Championships," added Robinson.

"Good luck to them but the real story is here. How a club of our size and with our resources have been able to consistently achieve what we have for the past eight years."

Robinson and his predecessor Peter Moores have been a huge factor in that success. But, just like Moores, Robinson prefers to praise his players instead.

And why not? He is astonished at their ability this season to switch focus from one competition to the other without any discernable fall in the high standards their coach insists on.

After all, when have Sussex ever gone into the last week in August still able to win three trophies?

"That ability to switch mental focus, sometimes the very next day, has been outstanding and reflected in our results," said Robinson. "We've probably exceeded even our own expectations but I was always confident we could have a good season."

But can they turn a good season into a great one? Robinson will not be able to do much once the game gets underway but he can still make a difference.

"As a coach, it's hard to quantify what you do which makes a successful team," he said. "All I have concentrated on this week is making sure we have the best possible preparation."

That means practising tomorrow at Lord's, just as they would on the eve of any away fixture, and letting the players do what they would normally do on the evening before a game.

They certainly won't be jumping in the coach and heading off to the pub as Ian Gould's side did when Sussex last won at Lord's 20 years ago.

The only concession is the use of a coach to take them to the Riverside for Monday's Pro40 League game against Durham. Hopefully with a bit of extra luggage on board.