Oxford United head for Charlton Athletic in the Third Round of the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night (7.45pm)
“I think it comes at a good moment for the team” Manager Pep Clotet told iFollow this morning. “We all know Charlton away is a tough game because it’s never an easy place to go but we feel confident because of our effort in the last two performances. The commitment from the players and everyone around the team has been fantastic and I think we have come through a tough situation. Now we have to keep making steps forward.”
United have reached Wembley for the last two finals of this competition and Pep won’t change his approach, whatever the competition.
“My attitude doesn’t change: it’s always a game of football that we want to win. When it comes to motivation then the closer you get to the final then the reward starts to seem bigger than it was before. But actually it is still far away and all we can do is be ourselves tomorrow, play to our strengths and minimise the errors because we know Charlton are a side that can exploit your weaknesses. But we have to do the same to them and make sure we compete.”
United welcome back Ricardinho after suspension but will be without new signing Rob Dickie, who is cup tied, and skipper John Mousinho who limped off during Saturday’s win over Blackpool.
“John will be OK for Saturday at Walsall” Pep said “but will rest on Tuesday and work on his fitness. We will discuss who becomes the captain in his absence. Ricardinho is available and Agon Mehmeti is OK after a stomach virus. He has trained for the last couple of days and should be back in the squad.”
See the full interview in iFollow