U's nursing knocks as they head for Exeter
Oxford United look to bounce back as they travel to Exeter on Tuesday night. Defeat at home to Accrington on Saturday was the first time that the U’s have lost back to back league matches all season and they will be out to make amends and claim just a second double of the season when they take on the Grecians.
“We played well against them earlier in the season” Head Coach Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD earlier today.“It was a very close first half and we were maybe fortunate not to lose Chey Dunkley to a second yellow just before half time; you need that little rub of the green sometimes to win games. But we played very well in the second half, scored three good goals and controlled the game. We need that little bit of luck tomorrow and we need to defend well at all times but I’m sure the players will be looking to bounce back as quickly as they can.”
United were beaten by a late goal for Accrington Stanley on Saturday.
“This year we have lost other games of football where we have been very competitive and unfortunate to lose. I still think we got out of Saturday’s game what we deserved, which was nothing” Michael said. “The ugly side of the game, the stuff you are supposed to do out of possession, we weren’t good enough at on Saturday. That needn’t have cost us, but did, and sometimes these things happen for a reason.”
United picked up a number of injuries in that game to add to the absence of skipper Jake Wright, striker Ryan Taylor and defender Jordan Evans. The United boss wouldn’t name names but will give players as long as possible to prove their fitness before Tuesday night:
“We are down to bare bones” he admitted. “Quite a few players are carrying knocks and injuries and will possibly be out for a week or two, so we are a bit threadbare. We will try and do something about that, see if we have the right reinforcements already here, or available to come in, and hopefully get the players out on the pitch as quickly as possible.”
See more of this interview in Yellow Player HD right now, where we also have the thoughts of Callum O’Dowda and will have the whole game LIVE.