Skipper urges fans to get behind the U's on Saturday
United will look to use Tuesday night’s positive Capital One Cup performance as a springboard for their season when they welcome Dagenham and Redbridge to the Kassam Stadium on Saturday (3pm)
United took Premier League West Brom to penalties on Tuesday night, bravely fighting back to force extra time at the Hawthorns, and skipper Jake Wright was quick to praise the fans as United prepare for Saturday.
“I thought the fans were different class on Tuesday night” the United captain said. “To take 2,000 people on a Tuesday night was fantastic and then they made such a difference to the game. They got behind us and kept lifting the noise level higher every time we attacked towards them in that second half.
“The lads genuinely appreciated their support and we wanted so desperately to get them the win they deserved. Losing on penalties was cruel but now we have to go out there on Saturday and play the same way but get a result. We want as many of those fans as possible to come along and get behind us again against Dagenham.”
Head Coach Michael Appleton echoed his captain’s thoughts:
“The Dagenham game is ten times more important that what we did at West Brom. We played well the other night but we have to start picking up results in the league. There is no way it will be easy against Dagenham. The performances have been positive all season and we won’t deviate from the way we do things and the way we play but I’d take a 1-0 win now, any way it came, just to get that first three points on the board. Eventually someone is going to take an opportunity, or two or three players will take opportunities, because we are playing well but the key is to keep calm and stay positive.
“The fans who travelled on Tuesday night were a credit to themselves and the club and all we want now is to get that win for them.”
Were you among the 2,000 travelling fans at the Hawthorns? Did you get caught up in the drama on the radio? If so then come and get behind the team on Saturday. Whether it’s a last family day out of the summer holidays or part of your weekend ritual, be here to see Oxford United take on Dagenham and Redbridge at the Kassam Stadium.
Tickets (cheaper in advance) are available from www.oufctickets.co.uk and 01865 337533