United boss pleased with performance
Oxford United picked up a point at Walsall when Chris Maguire’s deflected effort earned them a 1-1 draw at the Banks’s Stadium.
“The first half had almost a pre-season feel to it on a warm day with both sides in a comfortable position” Head Coach Michael Appleton told Yellow Player HD after the game. “If anything their goal probably spurred us on more than it did them and we spent the rest of the half camped in their area other than one or two counter attacks. I was very pleased with the performance if not the result.”
The play-offs remain a long shot but there is still hope for the U’s who have two big games over the Easter weekend.
“A win might have put us right back in it” Michael said. “You never know there might be a twist or turn still. I think there will with one of the clubs whether it is Rochdale, Southend, Bristol Rovers. We are all chasing Millwall and have to keep applying the pressure. The good thing about it being Millwall in sixth is that we obviously still have to play them and that could affect things and work in our favour
“It was important that we got something today. It has been a difficult week for everybody and we have had to take two big defeats on the chin. To come here and show a bit of character after going a goal down says everything.”
One big plus for the U’s was an excellent performance from right back Canice Carroll, making just his second senior start.
“He has a great temperament and a really big future” Michael said. “He has really come of age in the last three or four months, stepped up his training and become more competitive and more of a leader. I’m not sure he will end up as a right back, eventually he will be in the middle of the park, but he is doing exactly what I thought he would when he got in the team and he will continue to do that. Definitely.”
See the full interview plus the thoughts of Chris Maguire and extended highlights in Yellow Player HD.
The U’s are at home to Port Vale on Easter Monday. Tickets are on sale from www.oufctickets.co.uk and 01865 337533. Book your place and come and get behind the U’s.