9:20am Saturday 21st April 2012
By David Pritchard
Chris Wilder takes his Oxford United team to Plymouth Argyle today, urging them to ensure fate is still in their hands at the final whistle.
With just three games of the npower League Two season left, the U’s occupy the final play-off place, but only ahead of Crewe on goal difference.
Crewe host Cheltenham this afternoon – who themselves are just four points ahead of United – and an Oxford victory at Home Park would be a huge boost to their chances of finishing in the top seven.
A run of four games without a win has set up a nervous end to the season, but Wilder is backing his side to come good.
He said: “We have enough quality, experience and desire to win anywhere.
“We’ve got to make sure we play well, but Plymouth are the team at home, so the onus and pressure is on them to go for the result.
“We’re desperate for a win, we’ve not had one in four games, but I truly believe the performances have deserved better.”
Plymouth looked certainties for relegation when United beat them 5-1 in October, but have staged a recovery under manager Carl Fletcher and will guarantee their Football League status with a win.
Few changes are expected to United’s starting line-up from last weekend’s goalless draw with Gillingham.
Ryan Clarke remains on the sidelines, so Wayne Brown will again deputise for his 500th career appearance in England.
Simon Heslop travelled after returning from a foot injury with a goal for the reserves at Thame United in midweek – a game that saw James Constable score twice to push his claims for a start up front.
The main injury doubt concerns Dean Morgan, who came off against Gillingham with a groin problem.
Plymouth: from Cole, Berry, Purse, Blanchard, Williams, MacDonald, Wotton, Walton, Bhasera, Feeney, Chadwick, Larrieu, Young, Hourihane, Hemmings, S Fletcher, Tsoumou.
Oxford Utd: from Brown, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Davis, Chapman, Whing, Hall, Morgan, Rendell, Montano, Crocombe, Constable, Johnson, Wilson, Heslop, Pittman, Capaldi, Tonkin.
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