First Team Coach looks ahead to Saturday
First Team Coach Chris Allen knows more than most people what it means to play in an Oxford against Swindon game. Local boy Chris has both played and coached in the big local derby and can’t wait to be involved again in Saturday’s sell out encounter.
“It’s great” he told Yellow Player HD. “The buzz about the place, a sell out crowd, the tension in the game. They are all going to be huge and we just have to stay disciplined, make sure we keep 11 players on the pitch and play our usual game.
“That’s what the Manager always stresses to the players and they are good with that. It will become even more prevalent come Saturday. We have a young side and it will be a great learning curve for them to see what a big derby is about.”
Chris, who made his United debut against their biggest rivals as a sub for Joey Beauchamp back in 1991 believes that the current United squad know all about the importance of this game for all United fans.
“Definitely. I’m sure the newer players will have heard from Alex MacDonald, Liam Sercombe and John Lundstram who played in the JPT game last time, and they will have told them all about the gravitas of the game.
“It won’t be just another game because of what the crowd is going to bring; it’s going to be a fantastic day.”
The U’s welcome Ryan Ledson, Benji Buchel and Tyler Roberts back into the squad after international duty, leaving only Curtis Nelson and Rob Hall still unavailable.
“We have a clean bill of health” Chrissy confirmed “so hopefully we will have a full squad available come Saturday and everyone raring to go.”
See the full interview plus the thoughts of skipper John Lundstram in Yellow Player HD