First Team Coach Fazackerley discusses Tuesday's game against Chelsea u23's
Oxford United can make progress in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday night when they take on Chelsea under 23s at Stamford Bridge in their third game of this year’s competition.
Last season the U’s reached Wembley in this competition and First Team Coach Derek Fazackerley knows that a win would send the team through to the next round.
“The competition served Oxford United very well last year” he told Yellow Player HD. “Obviously we had an appearance at Wembley and a fantastic occasion for everybody. I think also it helped build momentum in the league and other cup competitions. It’s a competition that we certainly won’t be taking lightly and one that we’d like to do well in again.”
Rarely can a side have had two such contrasting games. Saturday at Merstham, Tuesday at Stamford Bridge…
“Obviously its two different sides to football. The humble surroundings of Merstham – who were very hospitable and clean and hosted the game very well, to the fantastic venue at Chelsea, and although there maybe won’t be that many people there, it’s a game that all the players will want to play in. To say they’ve played at Stamford Bridge – I’m not sure how many of our players have played there before.
“We made one or two changes on Saturday for the FA Cup game, gave players an opportunity to show what they can do. Shrewsbury is the bigger picture – coming up this weekend – but it gives us an opportunity to look at one or two options and people can put themselves in the frame for Saturday. So it’s a game we approach not just from the point of view of wanting to win and progress in the competition, but it’s also a chance for players to impress and help get the league form up and running.
“It’s a chance for Rob Hall, and Wes Thomas, who is also coming back to fitness, to show that they’ll be knocking on the door come the weekend game at Shrewsbury.”
See the full interview in Yellow Player HD right now.