U's look to move one step closer to Wembley
Oxford United’s players will need to switch their attention away from the FA Cup and on to the Checkatrade Trophy as they welcome Bradford City in the quarter final on Tuesday night. The U’s were excellent in beating Newcastle United on Saturday but as Head Coach Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD earlier, it will be back to earth with a bump for his players:
“A few of them are on cloud nine after the weekend but you would expect that after such a big result” he said “but we will get that out of the way this morning; things we’ve done well, things we didn’t do so well and then we will move on very quickly to Bradford City and how we are going to try to get through this tie and into the semi-final.
“Bradford will be up for it because they will be disappointed about the postponement last week, but I can assure you we were just as frustrated as them. It looks as though the weather is going to be a little bit kinder this time and again it is an opportunity for one or two players who will be given their opportunity again.
“It has been proven over a couple of years that if players take their opportunity in cup games then they often get their chance in league games as well and we certainly have plenty of those coming up. We are going to get injuries and suspensions so everyone has to show they are ready to perform.”
Tomorrow is also transfer deadline day and Michael is hoping for a couple of changes over the next 24 hours or so.
“There is a little bit of movement and we may possibly have one in, one out perhaps” he said. Cup progress means another rearrangement, with the away game at Charlton Athletic now having to be rescheduled, and with the FA Cup draw tonight Michael knows it is a hectic period for the club:
“It is a busy time: we were just looking at the fixture board in the office and that’s getting a little bit messy, but it’s a sign of our success and we just have to get used to that.”
See the full interview plus a catch up with Rob Hall in Yellow Player HD right now.
A reminder that it’s just £10 for over adults, £5 for over 65s and under 21s for the Bradford game. Tickets for the first game are still valid, and any fans who are unable to attend can claim a refund up until midday on Tuesday.