U's prepare for a trip to Bolton
Oxford United head for Bolton Wanderers on Saturday looking to secure their first away win of the season. It’s a big test for the U’s but Head Coach Michael Appleton is sure his players will rise to the occasion:
“I think it’s going to be a challenge but players should want to go and play at this type of stadium and against big clubs like Bolton” he told Yellow Player HD. “If they don’t then I’d be questioning them to make sure I’m getting the right people on board. I certainly expect us to put a decent performance in against a side with very good players with great experience. They are having a little bit of a tough time themselves; I don’t think they have won in six but they are the home team so the pressure is going to be on them.
“We have to try and find a way of scoring the first goal. Sheffield United is the only game this year, and I can’t think of too many last year where we scored first and lost the game. No matter what level you are at the first goal is huge.
“But as I said after the game on Tuesday, ‘why not?’ Why not Bolton? It would be a great place to win and there’s no reason we can’t. We have played ten teams in this division and so far, hand on heart, there is nothing to fear. Yes we have lost four of the first ten games but I have come away from each of those disappointed that we haven’t won, not thinking that we have been outplayed us or were much stronger than us.”
United will have to do without midfielder Ryan Ledson who limped off during the warm up on Tuesday night at Southend.
“Ryan has a tear in his cartilage and will be out for a minimum of six weeks which is a big blow because we were desperate to get him into the team” Michael said. “I think he is going to be a very exciting player for Oxford United but he will just have to wait a little bit longer to get his first league start, which is frustrating. But Curtis Nelson will possibly be involved on Tuesday night at Swindon, and if not then hopefully for the following weekend against Wimbledon.”
See the full interview plus Chey Dunkley in the Preview Show in Yellow Player HD