Oxford United look in good shape for the season ahead after drawing 1-1 with Fulham in the final home pre-season game of the summer last night. John Mousinho’s goal capped a good night for the U’s as Karl Robinson told iFollow after the final whistle.
“We learned a lot. I thought we were good and we moved the ball a lot better than on Saturday. Our shape out of possession was good against a much-fancied Fulham side; five or six of them will start the season. We had worked after the QPR game on denying space in between the lines when you come up against good opposition. Look at the start of the season and we play Sunderland and Peterborough, two of the four most fancied teams in our league. We will have to be disciplined in those games and that’s part of the idea for the last two games.
“Malachi Napa showed what he can do, Jamie Mackie showed what a presence he can be, and that got us up the pitch which is important. So there were some really good bits to take away from the game. Chris Cadden looked good and people in the stadium could see why we have signed him: he is dynamic and allows us to get up the pitch but also get back in and allow us to keep our shape.
“We have a massive few days now; I have said that many times. We are four or five players short and I think seven of our finishing eleven could have played in the Under 23 league so we are a young squad. While our numbers will go up it also means that for those youngsters they have had the best pre-season they could possible have had and have really pressed forward. So it’s frustrating not to have the players we want to bring in yet but it has also really helped the young players at the club and they have made great strides.”
See the full interview in iFollow