PREVIEW Oxford United v Blackpool

A full guide to Saturday's Sky Bet League 1 Game At Grenoble Road

14 December 2018

Oxford United look to build on a run of just one defeat in 13 games when they welcome Blackpool on Saturday (3pm)

Team News

The U's could have right-back Tony McMahon back in the squad after he returned to full training this week after a cracked rib, but the former Bradford man may have to be patient with Jamie Hanson doing very well in that role since stepping in.

Otherwise there will be few surprises for the U's who have had a settled side for a while and should welcome back Samir Carruthers and Shandon Baptiste early in the new year. Ricky Holmes is fully fit again though after a back injury.

Josh Ruffels, incidentally, is set for his 197th appearance for the U's, if selected, and could reach the 200 mark against Southend on Boxing Day.

See Ricky Holmes and Karl Robinson previewing the game, plus a full Preview Show in iFollow right now.

The Opposition
Blackpool boss Terry McPhillips is hoping to have both Jay Spearing and Curtis Tilt fit after midfielder Spearing missed last weekend's 2-1 win against Charlton Athletic and Tilt, who took the captain's armband in Spearing's absence, limped off with a hip injury.

“I think Jay will be okay for Saturday, so that will be good," he said "It wasn’t serious, it was just a tweak, so Jay will be a bonus for us if he makes it. We’ll assess him but I think he’ll be okay. We’re looking at Curtis again this morning but I’m hopeful, that’s all I can say right now.

“I’ve been watching clips of (Oxford at Peterborough) and they have a threat going forward.It’s a tougher game than (it would have been) in the early weeks, when they didn’t start so strong.

“It’s a tough game and we’ll have to go there and put a performance on.They’ve got some really good players and they’re a big club in this league.It’s like anyone, on their day they can beat anyone and we’re the same, so it will be an interesting game.”

The Gaffer

The Programme

Guest of Honour

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Tickets

Tickets are on sale from the Oxford United ticket office online from oufctickets.co.uk and from the Ticket Office (01865 337533) as well as from the ticket office on the day from 12.15pm.

Getting Here

For a full guide to transport options, parking and buses CLICK HERE

On The Day

The gate behind the North Stand will not be in operation on Saturday, meaning that fans can move from one end of the ground to the other behind that stand, and all car parks are open: we will tweet if/when the east car park is full.

Away Fans

If you are a Blackpool fan travelling to the game then a full Supporters Guide is available here: OUFCAwayDayInfo.pdf

Polythene UK 50/Fifty Draw

There will be another big prize in the half time draw where half the money raised goes to one lucky winner. Tickets cost just £1 and our sellers are all around the ground.

Family

Oxford United pride ourselves on providing a great atmosphere for families to enjoy. We have a full Family Guide to games available here: OUFC Family Guide

Family Room

The Family Room is open for all Saturday home games and features activities and games for young fans plus a chance to meet players before kick-off. It is free to join the fun and you can find it in the corner of the South and East Stands from 1.30pm onwards

Coverage

iFollow is available with the full game LIVE to hear in the UK, Ireland and overseas and to see if you are overseas.There will be reaction from the key men after the game, and you can follow all the action on Twitter at @OUFCOfficial and on this site with our OUFC Live coverage.

Blackpool Videos

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Match Reports

REPORT Oxford United 2 Blackpool 0

U's continue great run with another home win. Full time report

15 December 2018

Oxford United's fantastic run continued after a 2-0 win over Blackpool this afternoon. An own goal from Ollie Turton (or a goal from Marcus Browne depending on your vantage point) and James Henry's 11th goal of the season eased the U's up to 18th in the League 1 table and made it just one defeat in 14 games.

United, unchanged for the fifth game in a row, played like a team brimming with confidence and some of their passing and movement were a joy to behold in the first half, aided by a strong wind at their back on a bitterly cold December afternoon.

However, the conditions played a big part in a first half hour that saw few goalmouth incidents until Browne, or his marker perhaps, gave United the lead and opened up the game.

Browne had looked the most likely source of a goal all afternoon. An early free kick went well over in the sixth minute, a curling effort from the West Ham loanee went wide after 15 and United were on top. Simon Eastwood was well protected by his back four at the other end and Josh Ruffels made an important interception when the Tangerines did threaten with a low ball across the box on 21 minutes.

However, Browne was not to be denied and as we approached the half hour a weak clearance only went as far as James Henry who hung up a deep cross to the back post which Blackpool stood and watched. Browne was braver and got above his man to head home and make it 1-0; his aerial power at the back post is a very useful weapon for the U’s as well as his obvious talents with the ball at his feet. The suspicion is that it was his marker Ollie Turton who actually headed it home but Browne was the one forcing the issue.

It is Henry who has been the key to United’s revival though, his switch to midfield proving a masterstroke and meaning that he can time his runs into the area and add one more threat to an already dangerous United attack. On 41 it Cameron Brannagan who got United going, spreading the ball wide for Gavin Whyte who didn’t try and beat his man, just rolled it across the box for Henry who let fly for his eleventh of an increasingly profitable season.

Blackpool stepped up after the break, the appearance of former Oxford loanee Armand Gnanduillet giving them more of a threat in the second half and left-back Marc Bola posing a huge threat down the sides, but United were resilient and the Tangerines still hadn't had a shot on target after an hour.

United meanwhile saw a Jamie Mackie effort saved after 70 minutes after some good work from the excellent Josh Ruffels and with a two-goal cushion they were able to defend stoutly and look to hit Blackpool on the break through the pace of Browne and Whyte.

There were scares when Heneghan almost headed in at the back post but Blackpool had failed to take advantage of the strong wind in the second half and United had once again been the better side for long periods of the game.

Another good result, another step forward and United step in to Christmas in good shape.

Att: 6,003
Away: 294

Report by Chris Williams, pictures by Steve Daniels

Match Reports

Standings

The Gaffer

The Programme

Guest of Honour

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