Chapman's on battle stations (From The Oxford Times)
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Chapman's on battle stations
10:00am Tuesday 12th February 2013 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
Adam Chapman expects Fleetwood to provide a tough challenge
Adam Chapman says Oxford United must be prepared for a physical battle as Fleetwood Town make their first visit to the Kassam Stadium tonight.
The sides only met in Lancashire 17 days ago, so the 3-0 npower League Two defeat is still fresh in the minds of United’s players.
Although the venue has changed, Chapman, who play-ed the second half at Highbury, is expecting a similar encounter.
The midfielder said: “It was a really high intensity half and then it opened up a bit in the second half and both teams could play a little.
“I’m thinking it will be probably the same again.
“We’ve got to be ready for that physical battle in the first half and then hopefully wait for the second half and play some nice football, like we did on Saturday.”
United are in need of a positive result after the gap to the play-offs stretched to eight points following a 2-0 defeat by Bristol Rovers last weekend.
Chapman knows an upturn in results is needed sooner rather than later, but the 23-year-old insists no-one is panicking yet.
He said: “There are 16 games left, so there are plenty there to put a run together.
“Don’t get me wrong, we’re not sitting there thinking we’ve got all the time in the world, we know we need to get going quickly, but there’s not that desperation yet.
“If we had performed like we did at Fleetwood for the next two or three games we would have been very worried, but we feel the performances are there.
“You’re not going to get promoted off performances, but we’re confident it’s coming, and it’s just a matter of finishing games off.”
Comments(3)
martico1
says...
5:08pm Tue 12 Feb 13
How about some searching questions with real honest answers? 'Why is it going wrong?' 'Whose fault is it?' 'What needs to change?' People need to be brave enough to say it, and those who need to do the changing brave enough to listen.
Richard Wickson
says...
6:48pm Tue 12 Feb 13
What is it with our players, they seem to lack a sense of reality on the pitch as well as off it, we need players who are committed to the cause not just take their wages. All of them to a man need to get a grip and realise no one else will want them when OUFC dispense with their services. Wilder also really needs to get a grip and realise that his job is on the line, football is results driven and his teams results arent good enough.
YellowinMelbourne says...
10:22am Tue 12 Feb 13