Head Coach looks ahead to the FA Cup Round 2
Oxford United head for Macclesfield on Friday night with Head Coach Michael Appleton hoping his side can recreate last season’s FA Cup success. The U’s stole the headlines by beating Swansea last year but know they face a tough test against the Silkmen in front of the BBC Cameras on Friday.
“The two cup competitions were very good to us last year and we’re going to be taking them very seriously” Michael told Yellow Player HD. “If we can get through and get our name in the hat for the Third Round then everyone will be delighted.”
United come into the game on the back of two good home wins and a draw at leaders Scunthorpe but Michael will resist the temptation to make changes to the side in the cup.
“We are down to bare bones a little bit, so there will be changes but not that many” he said. “We want to make sure everyone stays as fresh as they possibly can but there are certain players who want to play every week and provided their performance level stay high then they will stay in, but there will definitely be rotation and one or two new faces.”
United’s giant killing last season was only possible after they fought their way through two difficult toes in the earlier rounds.
“It is very similar to last season when we played Braintree and then Forest Green; they were two very hard-fought victories and if we don’t approach Friday night in the same way we have done the last three games then we will lose the game, no doubt about that. But if we approach it right then you’d like to think on the night we might have that little bit of extra quality to get through.
“The message is that we enjoyed the FA Cup last year, it was very good for the football club and we would love to have the chance to enjoy that experience once again. The only way that can happen is to go to Macclesfield on Friday and beat them.”
See the full interview plus a chat with Simon Eastwood and Joe Rothwell in Yellow Player HD right now.