Oxford United boss Liam Manning has told his fringe players that all they can do is turn up and apply themselves every day, as reported by the Oxford Mail.
The U’s are second in the League One table, having brushed aside Lincoln City this week, but with success comes a settled squad. A handful of players have struggled to get the minutes they may have hoped for, including Leeds United loanee Sonny Perkins.
Jordan Thorniley, Stephan Negru, and Oisin Smyth have all also missed out in recent weeks, but with the U’s in strong form, they’re finding their route into the starting XI blocked.
38-year-old Manning, who was once West Ham Under 23 manager, outlined what those out of the squad needed to do to stay in contention.
“The only thing you can control is how you turn up and apply yourself every day,” said Manning.
“You see Longy gets injured, so somebody has to be ready to step in if called upon.”
Sam Long picked up a knock within five minutes of their trip to Lincoln, with Everton loanee Stanley Mills coming on to replace him. Manning believes that underlines why his bomb squad needs to continue to apply themselves around the training ground.
“It can change so quickly, whether it be a suspension or an injury, and sometimes we’ve changed it to try and find different ways of getting success in games.
“Everybody has to be ready when called upon.”
Oxford are one of League One’s longest-serving sides, currently competing in their eighth campaign in the third tier. They have two cup games coming up, against Maidenhead and Chelsea Under 21s, which may give those fringe players some minutes before a league meeting with Leyton Orient.
On November 18th, the eagerly-awaited clash between them and Portsmouth was scheduled to take place, but it’s been cancelled due to international call-ups and will be rescheduled later in the season.
Writer’s View
Oxford are looking good this season – they never got out of second gear against Lincoln, and the quality of player waiting for a chance highlights the depth in their squad.
Liam Manning is proving that he is a top coach, and if they’re not in and around the top two come May, it will be hugely surprising.
However, to achieve that, they do need a deep squad, and the likes of Perkins and Thorniley will have to be ready to perform as the winter pitches get heavier.
