Defenders rated 50/50 as United tackle the league leaders
Oxford United look to turn a good week into a great one as they head for Scunthorpe on Saturday. Wins over Coventry and Gillingham have pushed the U’s up the table and they now test themselves against leaders Scunthorpe looking to make it three wins in a row.
“Things can change pretty quickly and the three game weeks can be very good to teams” Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD earlier today. “Now we have the opportunity to go and play the team at the top, the best team in the league so far, and hopefully give them a good game. The two wins will give the lads a massive boost to take into the weekend.
“It’s only the second time we have had back to back wins this year. We have a young group in there and they know they are capable of beating the top sides and playing well against them. In the top six or seven I think it’s only Sheffield United that have beaten us. The one thing we have lacked this year is putting runs together, and that maybe comes with youth and a little bit of inexperience. It’s something we will try and address in January and if we can bring a couple of players in then that will only benefit the players we have here already.
“Scunthorpe have just won five on the spin so they will concentrate on their own football; they score a lot of goals and have been doing really well. It’s going to be difficult but we go into it full of confidence and looking to beat their home record.”
United hope to have Chey Dunkley and Joe Skarz available after they were in the wars this week
“They are both 50/50 for the weekend” Michael confirmed. “Chey just felt his hamstring tighten, rather than a tear. He’s had that a couple of times before and the physio has been working with him. With Skarzy we have to tick the boxes and follow the protocol. If there is no reaction in training then he will be available at the weekend.”
See the full interview plus videos with Rob Hall and Alex MacDonald in Yellow Player HD right now