Interview with Barry Fuller ahead of Saturday's game
Barry Fuller said that AFC Wimbledon’s performance at Oxford United in October was one of their best this season and he knows how important it is to get back to winning ways against the same opponents tomorrow.
For the first time in a long time, Dons players and staff have been preparing for a game against Oxford without being reminded about that previous record!
attempt and everyone in blue and yellow hopes it was not just a flash in the pan.thThe 3-1 victory at the Kassam Stadium was AFC Wimbledon’s first against Oxford at the 13
in League One with Neal Ardley’s men just one point behind.th versus 12thMatches between the two sides are usually close encounters and tomorrow’s match pitches together 13
QUOTES
Barry Fuller:
“You pinch yourself sometimes when you look at where we’ve come from and the fact we are above certain teams, but you want to stay in the top half of the table. We just dropped out of it over Christmas and we have to get ourselves back in the chasing pack for the play-offs. As we always say, who knows what the end of the season brings?
“It (win against Oxford) was up there with our best performances. The club history with Oxford was not too great. We worked hard in the build-up to the game on what we felt we needed to do to stop them doing what they are good at. It may not have been our best footballing performance, but off the ball and stuff like that, we were brilliant. We made it tough for them and we scored some great goals, the one from Darius comes straight to mind.
“At home, we always feel that if we are on it, we can take points off anyone in this league. We know it is going to be tough against Oxford. It is never easy against them, but if we prepare right hopefully we can get back to winning ways in the league.”
Michael Appleton:
“We know how frustrated we were with the first half performance at our place. We were better in the second half, but we gave ourselves too much to do. I think a lot of things went against us on the day, but it’s a different game there. It’s a very tight stadium, the crowd are on top of you and the pitch isn’t particularly great. Neal and the guys have been doing it really well for the last few years.
“They have some very physical lads in the team and the front three are very dangerous. It’s just that it’s at their place and we know what type of game it’s going to be. “
TEAM NEWS
For Wimbledon, Jon Meades (ankle) is ruled out against his former club and tomorrow’s match will also come too soon for Chris Whelpdale after he put a groin injury behind him by turning out for the development squad. For Oxford, winger Rob Hall is pushing for a start after putting a knee injury behind him with a good performance against Scunthorpe.
LAST MEETING
Oxford United 1 AFC Wimbledon 3 (9 October 2016)
(Last 6 in all competitions, starting with most recent)FORM GUIDE
AFC Wimbledon DDLLWL
Oxford WWWDLW
LAST TIME OUT
Sutton United 0 AFC Wimbledon 0
Oxford United 4 Scunthorpe United 1
TICKETS
up until 11.00 am tomorrow morning. Tickets can be collected from the white booth in Jack Goodchild Way. online We still have availability in the RyGas Stand. You can book in advance
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