Oxford United head for Bristol Rovers on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways after back to back defeats against Blackpool and Burton.
The U’s were unlucky to lose at Bloomfield Road last Saturday after dominating the game and boss Karl Robinson wants them to rise to the occasion at a Memorial Stadium that traditionally creates a big atmosphere:
“We have played at Sunderland, Blackpool and now Bristol Rovers” he told iFollow today. “There is an expectancy and an intensity at all those grounds. They are places that make you feel like you want to perform. It’s a decent ground and although there may be a few people away for Bank Holiday there will still be plenty there and a great atmosphere.
“We are in a good place, certainly in terms of performances if not the last two results, but it is important that we go out there and play as well as we have done at Sunderland and Blackpool where in both games the fans gave us a standing ovation when we left the pitch.”
With Shandon Baptiste approaching full fitness it only leaves Malachi Napa on the injured list for the U’s, but making tough calls on team selection is not something that unduly worries the United boss:
“That’s the bit I enjoy” he said. “There will be some big decisions to make at the weekend: some say you need to be brave some say stupid! I had a big squad at Charlton as well so it’s not something new to me. It is for me here at Oxford, perhaps, but it’s something we’ve been asking for and I can’t moan about having too many players and having to keep them all happy.
"I can only keep 11 of them happy at 3 o’clock on Saturday and that means seven who are unhappy. But they know that the only way they are going to make a dent in this team is through their ability and attitude.
“We will see what team we have to go with, what shape we play, and hopefully we put in the right preparation and get the right result.”
See the full interview including Karl’s thoughts on Shandon Baptiste’s return, all in iFollow right now.