Oxford United welcome the Champions of England on Wednesday when they take on holders Manchester City in the quarter final of the Carabao Cup.
The U’s have been in great form ever since beating West Ham earlier in the competition and Head Coach Karl Robinson can’t wait to see his side test themselves in front of a full house.
“I’m really excited by the challenge that this time of year presents” he told iFollow. “Every club has a busy time with Christmas but we have the extra incentive of playing Manchester City in the middle of it all.
“It’s a great opportunity for our young players to show what they can do and we are likely to have four players who have started out in our Academy, which is a fantastic achievement. They will get a chance but it also shows everyone following along behind them that there is a clear opportunity here. I trust them and believe in them and they work so hard to constantly improve.
“We have had a lot of media attention this week and it has been busy but I also found time to go to a funeral on Monday which puts it all into perspective. I worked with Benik Afobe and what he has been through in the last two weeks would test anyone but he is amazingly brave and and my best wishes and love go to him after what has happened and I also want to take the opportunity to pass on the love of everyone here at Oxford.
“That was a difficult morning, then we have a Forum tonight, we are opening the Training Ground on Wednesday as well as playing Manchester City, then on Thursday we have a coaching event in the evening with the Academy coaches. Add in the FA Youth Cup game on Friday and then the Wycombe game on Saturday and it is a busy week but I love what I do and that work ethic runs right the way through this club.
“The focus is on the game on Wednesday and it’s obviously going to be difficult but everyone is upbeat. The message we have been giving to the players is that you have to have a belief in what you are doing to achieve anything in life. Nothing just falls in your lap. It’s like someone saying ‘you were lucky to win the Lottery’. Well they bought a ticket…”
See the full interview in iFollow right now.