Oxford United will be fired up and ready to go when they travel to Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
United picked up an important win against Southend last weekend and then battled hard before an 85th minute goal saw them lose 1-0 at Wigan on Tuesday, but Karl refuses to accept that tired legs may come into play at this stage of a long season
“It shouldn’t have taken anything out of the legs at all” he told iFollow. “They are professional footballers and they know it’s a big game, one where we are going to take a lot of fans on what promises to be a lovely day, so fatigue isn’t going to be an issue because you know the end of the season is almost here.
“It’s important that we are right mentally as well- mental fatigue is the one maybe, but it’s our job as a staff to make sure that isn’t a factor.
“It’s a massive game for us and we have to make sure we are ready to go and that our energy levels are really high. Three or four players didn’t travel to Wigan on Tuesday so they will be fresh but I’ve seen no signs of tiredness in the group at all. So they will get themselves ready and it’s one everyone is looking forward to.”
Doncaster, four points ahead of the U’s, look set to stay in League 1, but Karl knows full well that the home side are not about to ease up against the U’s on Saturday.
“I know Darren Ferguson very well, and I know that’s not going to be the case” he said. “I also know that the fans up there won’t accept less than 100 percent effort so we have to make sure that we are at our best and ready to compete like we have done in recent games.”
United have welcomed Curtis Nelson back into the team in the last two games while Tuesday saw a return to the bench for Robbie Hall
“He’s ready to be involved again and there aren’t any knocks or bruises from Tuesday so it looks like we are all fine.” Karl said.
See the full interview plus the thoughts of Jon Obika, and a Preview Show featuring Rob Hall and Leon Blackmore Such all in iFollow now.