Oxford United skipper Rob Dickie was the first guest of the official Oxford United Podcast at the weekend and told us how the players are sticking together through this difficult time.
“It’s a really strange time for us but the Manager has found a way for us to stay in a routine” he said. “Footballers are creatures of habit and we have had meetings at 10 every morning and then our sessions for the day with certain distances that we need to be hitting, then a meeting again at 1. So we are keeping on top of everything, still exercising and trying to keep fit so we are ready to go when we are required I guess.
“We have such a good dressing room and we get on so well. The big characters help things along and make sure we are all together and it all helps the team chemistry. We all get on as mates, not just as teammates. We welcome new players in and when we do get back playing again then we will have a fully fit squad - Ben Woodburn will be back, Nathan Holland hopefully and our fully fit squad is really good and the Gaffer is going to have big problems picking the side for the last nine games of the season.”
‘The Gaffer’ is of course Karl Robinson who recently celebrated two years in charge of the club.
“He has done brilliantly” Rob said. “When he came in we weren’t getting great results and he came in and on the first day had a meeting with all the lads and was so clear and precise in terms of what he wanted in training and his game plans. I have learned so much from him over the last two years and can't talk enough about what he has done for my career and for this club.”
Rob leads the way across all of the top four divisions in terms of minutes played this season but insists that he wasn't feeling fatigued when it came to a halt:
“I wasn’t feeling it. We were really in the flow of things and had won five in a row so we were in a good rhythm and we felt good and had a fit squad. I am enjoying time at home with my family but I am just keeping a positive mindset and thinking about when we come out of it the other side. That’s going to be incredible for everyone and I want fans to stay positive and to stay home and stay safe right now.”
Hear the full interview in the first official podcast, available right now HERE or on itunes or on Spotify. Want to stay positive? Then listen to the Dressing Room Playlist which the players hear on matchdays, also on Oxford United Official on Spotify.
Episode 2 of the Podcast features Kash Siddiqi and United Legend Paul Moody and will available very soon…