Craig Short steps into the Oxford United dugout for the upcoming Boxing Day sell-out at home to Southampton, aiming to bring a positive bounce to the supporters and the playing group.
An experienced player and coach at the highest level in English football, this will be Short’s fourth spell in temporary charge of United, and he knows what he wants to see from the group during a period of change.
Taking training on Tuesday morning, the former Everton and Blackburn Rovers defender wants to see a big reaction from the group when they step out at the Kassam on Friday.
He said to OUTV: “First of all, I would like to thank Gary Rowett and Mark Sale. It’s never nice news to receive as you have played a part in it as coaches, and as players.
“I’ve been in these situations many times before as a player and a coach. I saw a reaction in training, and I want to see them step up, push us through this period and get points on the board.
“I want the boys to have that underdog mentality. We’re everyone’s favourites to be relegated, I want the lads to use that and give the fans the performances they want to see.
“Sometimes, you need to get angry and aggressive. You have to show that competitive side.
“It’s down to making the right decisions now. Get the basics right and show that mentality because we know we can beat very good teams in this league.
“Now, we have to find that confidence and raise the level of performance by five or 10 percent.
“It’s a really good group and now it’s up to them to get the fans singing. Win the one v one duels, get shots on target, make the big tackles, get back and recover and if you do that the fans will applaud.”
With five years of experience at Oxford United, and a family of supporters, Short understands the Club just as much as the people behind the dugout.
He is desperate to give the supporters something to celebrate on Boxing Day and is working around the clock to deliver.
He added: “Christmas is cancelled for me and the coaches this year! We have such a good group in Lewis Price and Chris Hackett who do so much work.
“We will give everything because we are in a dogfight now, we know that. We need a reaction from them, and they have shown that before.
“It needs to be not four or five players, but all of them out there competing. I want them to go out there and play without any fear.
“The supporters have been wonderful with me and the players since I’ve been here. They have given me the best day of my coaching life at Wembley.
“We have worked so hard to get here. Guys like Cameron and Sam, it’s been years of graft and work that has got them here.
“I totally get the Club, my wife is a local girl and Oxford fan, as is my father-in-law, and I’ve been here for years.
“We’re not the biggest club at this level, we know that. But we have that real tight knit community.
“We will give each other energy and I hope the supporters continue to give the group that feeling and hopefully we can have a wonderful evening.”