Oxford United boss Des Buckingham has said his side will “need to match” a fired-up Cheltenham Town as they prepare to host The Robins in a key League One clash on Saturday.
Buckingham’s first game in charge was against Cheltenham on November 25th, following Liam Manning’s departure to Bristol City. The U’s lost 2-0 that day in a tricky start to the new era. Since then, there have been plenty of highs and lows in Oxford’s inconsistent play-off hunt but perhaps an overall sense of frustration after the strong start the team made to the season.
The 39-year-old has won a quarter of his 20 league games in charge of Oxford, and they currently sit three points outside the play-offs having played a game more than sixth-placed Stevenage. While undoubtedly having some tricky fixtures in February and to start March, they are now without a win in four and so welcome the relegation threatened Robins in the hope of clicking back into gear.
Buckingham was keen to emphasise how different things are now compared to the first game of his tenure at The Completley-Suzuki Stadium:
“I arrived and that first week was pretty whirlwind and was very much looked after by the staff leading into that game.” he said, via Oxford Mail.
“It didn’t go our way that week, and we’re in a very different space now. We’ve had a lot of change, in terms of staffing, a change in players, an injury crisis which we’re coming off the back end of, our training ground flood, and a lot going on.
“It’s been a very busy three-and-a-half months, but as is always the case here, we’ve adapted and found different ways to continue working the way we want.”
The 39-year-old, who has had quite a remarkable journey to League One following spells coaching in India, Australia and New Zealand, was also aware Cheltenham are not going to be an easy three points:
“They’re a team fighting to stay in this league, and a team that will come to the Kassam with everything they possibly can, to put in a performance and take away as many points as they can.
“That’s something we need to match. We can’t go out and assume we’ll play the nice football we did at Portsmouth, and expect it to be a similar type of game, because it won’t. It’s a very different challenge, and one we need to adapt to, whilst not coming away from our principles, as to what we did on Saturday.”
Writer’s View
Oxford promised so much in the opening few weeks of this campaign, even threatening the top two. So, despite still being well in the play-off race, there is probably a feeling of disappointment. Des Buckingham has offered moments of brilliance since taking over without ever truly hitting a purple patch.
With talented players like Cameron Brannagan and Ruben Rodrigues on their books, if they can find that early season form you would back them to beat anyone. A positive result at home on Saturday could really kick start the perfect run in if they wish to fulfil their Wembley and Championship dream.
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