The last two games have seen Josh Murphy return to action as the U’s have started the Liam Manning era with two draws on the road at Morecambe and Peterborough.
Now they look to turn that into a win when they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Kassam Stadium on Good Friday (3pm)
“We have five home games now and just three away and need to make that count at home” Josh told iFollow. “The Peterborough game you could see and hear the fans and it was a very positive atmosphere. I think that pushed us on; you are going to a tough place knowing you need to grind out a result and just knowing they are there for you is a massive help. It wasn’t pretty but everyone left happy at the end, players and the fans together. Now we need to build on that over Easter.
“The players get the situation we are in, definitely. We are under no illusion that we are in a difficult place at the moment but I think everyone can feel the vibe from the last three weeks since the Manager has been here and the changes that he has made so quickly, Training, everything, has been electric and the performances have been improving, first at Morecambe and then at Peterborough on Saturday.
“Everyone wants to work for each other and wants to work for the Manager. The new ideas that he has brought in have been excellent. Obviously it is not going to be overnight but the steps have been put in place and we are working towards that.”
Josh is brutally honest about what has personally been an immensely frustrating first season with the U’s:
“I’m not going to hide from that at all” he says ” I have never been injury prone but can see why I am getting hit with that label now! But everyone around here knows how hard I have been working, day in day out in the gym. Watching the boys go out to train while I am lifting weights waiting for my hamstring to recover and then my calf to recover…It has been frustrating but hopefully that is all behind me now and I can help the team in these last eight games.
“I feel strong at the moment, but I said that last time I came back as well! I am in a good place, let’s leave it at that.
“I’m glad to have the chance to play and help the team again. We need to get back to basics and work hard, do your job for the team then hopefully we get the rewards at the top end of the pitch. We are all in this together and everyone has to work hard- I think the fans saw that we are willing to do that last Saturday. The forwards, wingers, midfielder, defenders, we all worked for each other and are all pulling in the right direction.
“And as I say, we know what we have to do. You have to look at yourselves first, not at what other clubs around us are doing or who they are playing. We know that if we look after ourselves and do things right then we should be fine. I think where we are right now, you are always going to check other results and hope they go your way too, like they have been, but ultimately it’s about us doing all we can to get three points. And if we keep grinding out positive results then we will be fine.”
See the whole interview in iFollow
Get behind the U’s on Good Friday as they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Kassam Stadium.
Tickets are available
- ONLINE HERE
- By calling 01865 337533
- From the OUFC Ticket Office at the Kassam Stadium