Oxford United look to bounce back into the play-off places when they welcome Shrewsbury Town to the Kassam Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm).
Defeat to leaders Plymouth on Saturday left the U’s just shy of the play-offs but as First Team Coach Craig Short told iFollow, one defeat should not overshadow an excellent start to the season
“You get used to the rollercoaster of football” he said. “I have been in the game a long time and you have to try and find a consistency. Our worst performance this season was against Crewe when we won the game and last season I remember playing well at Gillingham, for example, but we lost! You have to be realistic and you have to take the emotion out of it, especially straight after games when emotions always run high
“I think we have a group here who really analyse things very well. We came in on Sunday and we looked at the game. Don’t forget we were playing against the top team in the league so we knew they were a good side. We had a spell in the first half where we didn’t deal with them too well and got knocked back a bit but it’s how you react to that and I thought in the second half we showed a great reaction and were tremendous in terms of the chances created and the possession but we didn’t score and then doubts creep in and they punished us.
“With the 5-1 win against Accrington then the win at Sheffield Wednesday we were disappointed not to get three wins in a row on Saturday but also defensively we can be tighter. Last season Elliott Moore had an outstanding year, Sam Long got Player of the Year and Rob Atkinson and Josh Ruffels got moves. That’s because the way we play, attack minded as a team, you get tested at the back and you have to stand up to it. We have the players to do that and if we can tighten up, without losing anything going forward, then we know we will be OK.”
“Speaking to their Manager after the game, it was a great win for them probably their best win of the season. Equally we have put pressure on ourselves and we now have to go out there and win on Tuesday. We have bounced back plenty of times and if we do it against Shrewsbury we can be back in the play-offs.”
See the full interview in iFollow.
There is nothing like live football. Join us on Tuesday as the U’s look to tame the Shrews. Tickets are available HERE or call 01865 337533