Oxford United have a double header this week with the Youth Team in action in the FA Youth Cup on Saturday and then the First Team travelling to Woking on Sunday.
“We will be there for them on Saturday” Karl Robinson said ahead of the Youth Cup game against Torquay. “We will train on Saturday morning then go over to Court Place Farm to support them. They are an important part of the football club. Stevie Kinniburgh is coming down for that game too - I spoke to Dan Harris on Tuesday just to say that Stevie was our next appointment and and we know that the work Dan did has left Stevie with a great starting point.
“We saw a bit of that on Tuesday night with Gatlin’s goal and we have seen this season that Gatlin, James Golding and Tyler have played a big part for us.
“What we do with the Academy is so integral to this football club and we will be there to support them. Chrissy Hackett and Pablo Haysham are dong a great job with those young players and as we go forward we believe the young kids of Oxfordshire will have an opportunity to progress through our ranks.”
The main focus for the U’s is the FA Cup First Round tie at Woking the next day, with Karl still a massive believer in the magic of the cup.
“I saw the news about Ronnie Radford dying this week and it’s quite poignant to be going into the FA Cup after that. His goal was on the credits to Grandstand when I was growing up and part of the history of what I believe is still the greatest cup competition in the world. I am a romantic when it comes to this part of football”.
United welcome back Billy Bodin and Matty Taylor after suspension with Karl believing that their experience will be a massive boost for the U’s:
“Billy and Matty will be in the squad. Matty in particular has been in the situation of playing for a lower league club in this competition after he was released from here so he understands both sides of it.
“We know it is an important game. The result is all that matters; just make sure you get over the line and are in the hat for the draw for the next round.”
Join us at Court Place Farm on Saturday to see the young U's in action, then at Woking on Sunday as Oxford United enter the Emirates FA Cup.