A full guide to Saturday's big Sky Bet League 2 game at the Kassam Stadium
Full preview as United face Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet league 2We look ahead to the weekend as United take on Tranmere Rovers.
• Tyrone Barnett and Jake Wright in contention
• Read all about it in the match day magazine
• Tareiq Holmes-Dennis available for debut
• Tickets cheaper booked in advance
Team News
New loan signing Tarieq Holmes-Dennis stands by for a home debut as Oxford United welcome Tranmere Rovers in Sky Bet League 2. The on-loan defender trained yesterday after signing on loan from Charlton and goes straight into a squad that also includes Tyrone Barnett. The striker missed the game at Cambridge through suspension but is expected to come straight back into the side. Captain Jake Wright could be involved following on from a knee problem which has ruled him out in recent weeks.
After being well beaten last time out, the management are looking for a solid reaction after a positive full week of training and head coach Michael Appleton said:
“It wasn’t a situation on Monday where I needed to come in and rant and rave, I think it had a deeper impact to come in and look them in the eyes and say exactly what I thought, and I did that on Monday. We had one of the best day’s training sessions that I have had in the club since I arrived and we will be more than ready come Saturday”.
After Wright and Barnett trained this week, Appleton was hoping to involve both on Saturday:
“Jake trained Tuesday with minimal reaction yesterday and I’m hoping he can be involved on Saturday. Tyrone brings a different dimension to the side. It’s a no brainer for me. We look a different team when he plays”.
Alfie Potter played an hour in the Development Squad’s 12-0 win over the Army on Tuesday and should be available again after a groin injury while five goals in that game should keep James Roberts in the frame after he made his first team debut as a substitute last weekend.
Will Hoskins continues to make good progress after a groin injury, a second scan proving very positive this week. Youngsters Matt Bevans and Aidan Hawtin joined Hoskins in the treatment room this week. Bevans, currently on loan at Farnborough, has a knee injury that will be assessed once the swelling goes down while Hawtin, on loan at Banbury United has been troubled by an ankle problem.
See the full interview with Michael Appleton, plus a brilliant full length Preview Show featuring Tyrone Barnett, Michael Raynes, Peter Rhoades-Brown and Mark Ashton in Yellow Player right now.
The Opposition
Tranmere Rovers appointed Mickey Adams as their new manager yesterday. The former Port Vale, Brighton and Hove Albion and Sheffield United manager takes over from Rob Edwards, who was dismissed from his position earlier this week following a run of bad results leaving the Wirral based club bottom of League 2. Adams will watch his new side in action for the first time on Saturday afternoon and then officially take over management of the club on Tuesday evening when Rovers face Mansfield Town.
Club chairman Mark Palios said on Adams’ appointment:
“In the present position the club currently finds itself we felt it was important to appoint an experienced manager with good connections and a track record of success in League 2. Mickey has an impressive win ratio, which he has sustained throughout a long career and often in situations where he has had to operate in difficult circumstances on limited budgets”.
Tranmere’s experienced midfielder Jason Koumas said ahead of the trip to face Oxford:
“We just need a win from somewhere to kick start our season. There are fine lines in football and we need to start putting our chances away”.
Rovers will have striker George Barker available after he joined on loan from Swindon Town.
Ticket News
Tickets are considerably cheaper if booked in advance. Call 01865 337533 to book now at advanced prices, or visit www.oufctickets.co.uk
Getting Here
With ongoing roadworks around the Heyford Hill, Headington and Kennington Roundabouts, fans are advised to leave an extra 15 minutes for their journey to the stadium. BBC Radio Oxford 95.2 FM will have regular travel updates throughout the morning.
The Football Special Buses are running again and offer cheap and easy transport to all league games PLEASE NOTE: pre-match buses will depart 25 minutes earlier under the new timetables introduced while the roadworks are in place. Click HERE for full transport and parking details
Read all about it
We have produced yet another outstanding edition of the award winning match day magazine.
The highlight of the full length 84 page edition is a great interview with United and Tranmere club legend John Aldridge who answers questions from the fans. Michael Appleton and Jake Wright also have their usual say while big interview this week is with goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, and we have also caught up with Jon Meades and Josh Ruffels. There are also all your favourites including stats, special features and all the regular columnists plus an in depth look at the opposition club.
All this, and much more, costs just £3 (with a copy of the Oxford Mail while stocks last) from sellers around the ground or you can download a copy from our website at www.matchdayfix.com/oufc from 1pm on Saturday. (9am for subscribers).
Fifty/50
Be sure to pick up a Fifty/50 half time draw ticket from one of our sellers around the ground. The first prize is regularly £1,000 plus so you don’t want to miss out on what could be £1 very well spent!
Visit the new mobile club shop
Home and away kits plus training gear are all available in the club shop in all sizes, as well as a wide range of Avec leisure wear. Call in for a browse in the club shop or new mobile shop which is situated outside the south stand.
Betting
If you fancy a flutter on Saturday’s game, then there is still time to enter the Sky Bet Transfer Fund competition and to win £250,000 for the club to spend, as well as an individual cash prize of £5,000!
For full details and a huge range of odds, click here.
Remember: every bet you place helps the U's.
Coverage
If you can’t be with us on Saturday, then live full match commentary is available in Yellow Player. Yellow Player is the ONLY place on the internet where you can listen to the game live, and there will also be video interviews with all the key men.
The Official Website
www.oufc.co.uk is the perfect place to follow all the action. The official website will have:
- An great match console throughout the game
- A full match report the minute the final whistle is blown
- A full photo gallery of all the key moments
- The manager and key players reactions in Yellow Player
- SMS subscribers will receive all the action straight to their mobiles.
Or follow @OUFClive on Twitter for regular updates and all the action on Saturday.
Quick Links
The Manager's View
A Betting Guide and advice
Travel and Transport
The Match Programme
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