Head Coach looking to build on Tuesday's win at Exeter
Oxford United look for back to back away wins as they head for AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
United were worthy 4-1 winners at Exeter City on Tuesday night and will have the backing of a sold out away end at Kingsmeadow on Saturday as they look to maintain their promotion push.
“It’s a different challenge” Head Coach Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD. “It will be more demanding physically, a bit more like the Northampton game than Exeter.
“They play to their strengths and get the ball into the strikers early if they can. It’s a tight pitch on a tight ground where the fans are right on top of you, and obviously they are in a fantastic run of form at the moment so we have to be mindful of that. I think they have won seven out of eight games, which is some going but I think after Tuesday we pretty much know we have 14 cup finals left.
“That was the message; go into every game as though everything depends on it. As long as we have that frame of mind then I’m sure we will get something out of the game.”
United are in third place and hot on the heels of Northampton and Plymouth above them, but as Wimbledon’s form shows, there are plenty of clubs just below and looking to force their way into the promotion places as the season heads for its finale.
“I’m convinced it will go down to the last couple of games” Michael said. “All we can do is concentrate on what we are doing ourselves. As soon as we start worrying about other teams then I think we will be in a bit of bother, so let’s just try and control what we do.
“If things go for us elsewhere then that’s fantastic, but if they don’t then it doesn’t really matter because it’s not our concern. There will be highs and lows but if we end on a high in that first week of May then I’ll be delighted.”
Which player ran more miles on Tuesday than any other player this season? Find out in an exclusive interview with Michael in Yellow Player HD where he also brings us right up to date with some encouraging news on Jake Wright and Ryan Taylor’s injuries…