Michael Appleton gets set for the half way point in the season
Oxford United reach the half way point in the season when they welcome Exeter City to the Kassam Stadium on Boxing Day.
“I think we’re in a pretty good position to be honest. I think, going into the 23rd game, if someone had put in front of us that we’d be in the top three and still involved in two cup competitions we’d have been delighted with that” Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD earlier today.
“The target at the start of the season was probably the play-offs, and to get there we needed to implement what we tried to do in pre-season. Overall we have been delighted with the first part of the season but ultimately you have to keep it going.”
United welcome the Grecians with the biggest crowd of the season expected on Boxing Day and plenty of excitement around the game.
“We have done well in the big games this year, and we have bounced back when we have needed to get ourselves going again” Michael said. “We have targets which everyone knows about now and first and foremost we want to make sure we get ourselves back on track after losing at Wycombe. The league will take care of itself because we know that if we stick to the targets and plans that we’ve got then we will be OK come the end of the season.”
Exeter will be another good test for the U’s who lost their eleven game unbeaten run at Wycombe last Saturday.
“Exeter have a good mix and some talented young players like they always do” Michael said. “The way they play makes it difficult for teams. They will be hurting after conceding so late last week in the tenth minute of injury time. They’ll be licking their wounds and trying to put that right.”
United have just the one injury doubt, with left back Joe Skarz limping off at Adams Park with a groin problem.
“Skarzy is fifty/50” Michael admitted. “He came off at the right time and it’s more tightness than a tear so we will keep our fingers crossed and see where we are on Christmas Eve. We have Jordan Evans here and hopefully we can keep him a little bit longer because he is enjoying himself and is a real talent. He’s a more than capable back up for Joe.”
See the full interview plus videos with Liam Sercombe and John Lundstram in Yellow Player HD right now.
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