Defender pleased with clean sheet against the league leaders
United’s latest signing John Mullins was delighted to make his debut against Gillingham on Saturday just hours after meeting most of his team-mates for the first time.
“It was pleasing to come in and just meet the lads in the morning and I think Gillingham are a good side so a clean sheet against them is a real positive and I'm pleased,” Mullins told Yellow Player.
“I did okay and I did what I had to do. I came in at centre-half to just try and stop the other team from scoring so I think the more I play the more I will improve with the team.
“Luckily I knew a few of the lads. I knew Clarkey, Heslop and Raynesy so it was nice to see some familiar faces and the lads were brilliant with me. We had a chat in the morning, we were in a little bit earlier so I could meet everyone, and I'm really pleased because it made it really easy for me and I was just eager to get out there.
“Gillingham put themselves around as Martin Allen’s teams always do, they’re physical sides. I've seen quite a few teams this season and they’re probably the best I've seen so to keep them out of goal was good, thanks to Clarkey who pulled off some great saves. I think in the second half we really came out strong and in my opinion finished the stronger and we could have easily got a goal. We weren't just hanging on for a 0-0 but there were plenty of positives to take on to the rest of the season.”
The 26-year-old added that he has United’s best interests at heart and was delighted with the reception he received from the fans.
“I'm not one of these players who just wants to come in and get games. I already feel a part of the football club and I want to carry on. I want to help this club up the league and I wasn't featuring at Rotherham so they’re not really in my mind for the minute. I'm here at Oxford and I want to stay in the team and push this team up the league and the fans gave me a nice reception so hopefully I’ll continue to play well and they will continue to do that.
“The first 15-20 minutes I think the fans were helping to keep the ball out and they were really nice. I always thought that whenever I came to Oxford it was a well-supported club and it was a good atmosphere out there. Gillingham brought a few so it was nice to be a part of.”
See the full interview with John Mullins in Yellow Player.