"We won't get carried away" says United boss
Oxford United look to continue a fantastic run of results this weekend as they welcome MK Dons to Grenoble Road. One game from Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy, winners against Newcastle United in the FA Cup, and fresh from a memorable win over local rivals Swindon, United now face back to back home games against the Dons and Southend, with Michael Appleton looking forward to seeing another big crowd get behind his side on Fans Day this Saturday:
“The fans have been brilliant” he told Yellow Player HD. “I hope that continues for the rest of the season. If we really want to keep things ticking along and make sure we have something for everyone to look forward to coming into the last few games then the support will be massive over the next few weeks.“
The U’s won’t be getting carried away though as they face the Dons.
“It has been all about refocussing” Michael said. ”I have spoken many times about the need to focus on the different competitions and now we have two important league games coming up, both at home which is a bonus.
“This isn’t a group that you can really imagine getting carried away: if they did then we would be on to them pretty quickly. But there is a reason we have done pretty well recently; preparation, our pressing, the way we close down the opposition. We work very, very hard and then there is stuff you’d expect, including humility and trying to match your opposition before you try and outplay them.”
Christian Ribeiro and Sam Long return to the squad after another 90 minutes in the Senior Cup at Kidlington on Wednesday night:
"They will be in contention. If you look at the 18 on duty against Swindon that’s pretty much it plus Ribs, Longy and Canice Carroll. Everyone will play a part because it is a hectic schedule. We will work hard to keep everyone fit but the reality is there are going to be illnesses, injuries and suspensions along the way so the whole squad has a massive part to play.”
See the full interview plus the thoughts of John Lundstram in Yellow Player HD right now.