I'm swaying back toward Cheltenham a bit as at least their manager seems to take it seriously:
Quote:
John Ward interviewed before the LDV Vans Trophy area quarter-final against Oxford United:
"We've got a short period to rest before the Christmas period when we've got four games in eight days but we'll cope with that because of the run we have just been on. I think altogether it's nine games in 31 days but the interesting thing is that a lot of our players have taken part in all the games. I haven't had to change it around too much and when you play on a pitch like we did on Saturday, which was pretty dreadful, then it is a big test of players' fitness both mentally and physically. They came through it really well.
"Monday morning training was lively and bright and I know they are looking forward to playing Oxford again back on our own pitch. If we can win this game then we can lead into Christmas being ninth in the league, still in the FA Cup and in the last four of the area in the LDV. That would be a really good position for us to be in so we regard this match as massively important. I've been pleased with the preparation by the players - we've tried to work it out with the coaching staff and quite rightly there have been lighter and shorter training sessions - and we've requested that we get as much as we can out of the matches. I have tremendous praise for the way the players have performed in them.
"Maybe I'm old fashioned but I want more games for my team. If you are doing well it means more games in the cups and that's important. It's a great position for us to be in and we want more of it.
"Brian Talbot [Oxford manager] will be very keen to win the game and pick things up for his team. They lost on Friday against Lincoln and we put them out of the FA Cup so they really want to push on if they can. They've got good players and there have been three cracking games, I think. There might not have been some fast-flowing football in the replay but they've been played in great spirit by both sets of players. The two managers have accepted the results in the right manner and the supporters have been brilliant. If you want an entertaining game and some good football then Whaddon Road is the place to be against Oxford.
"I will be picking a strong team and I'm thinking about playing Steven Gillespie. We'll look at that nearer the time but I want it to be a team to try and win the game. I'm not in the business of changing the team around to try and give people a game because we have been on a decent run and want to keep that going. I'm sure our supporters want that as well and this competition gets bigger the longer you stay in it."
|
They've been the better side in the 3 previous matches with Oxford and I reckon I may as well have a wee go with them tonight. Not much confidence mind.
