"It's one we have to try and enjoy" says Oxford United boss
Thirty years after winning the competition Oxford United go back into League Cup action on Tuesday night looking to claim another famous victory over higher league opposition. The U’s head for Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup and Head Coach Michael Appleton is looking for his side to impress once again after an unbeaten start to the season.
“It’s one we have to try and enjoy” he told Yellow Player HD earlier today. Obviously after the performance that we put in at Brentford we want to go to Hillsborough and put in a good showing if we can. We are very aware that we have had a lot of games since those first two against Crawley and Brentford and I need to make sure that the energy levels are as good and they have been in the first four or five games. I have to get the balance right and that may mean one or two different players get their chance to start but whoever plays we will go there and be competitive.”
Having stormed past Brentford in the first round the U’s came from behind to claim a point at Mansfield on Saturday and the fighting qualities they have shown in the league should stand Michael team in good stead at Hillborough.
“They stood up and were counted together” he said after Kemar Roofe’s penalty earned his side a 1-1 draw at the One Call Stadium. “I think we played well in the second half and we came away in a reasonable mood, if a little frustrated because we have been setting the standards so high. I think we have a chance to keep that going on Tuesday night.
“It’s a wonderful ground, a fantastic pitch and a great club with great support. It’s going to be a tough game. I’ve watched them a couple of times and saw a little bit of their game against Leeds on Saturday. They only had four changes from the cup game to the team that played on Saturday so they have been playing a pretty settled strong side.
“They are a good footballing side who pass the ball well and we are aware of their strengths and weaknesses so hopefully we can get off to a better start than we did on Saturday and be in the game going into the latter stages.”
See the full interview plus the thoughts of Ryan Taylor as he comes up against the side he supported as a boy, only in Yellow Player HD where we will have the whole game LIVE