JOE Deeney is backing Oxford City’s talented young squad to reproduce the display which knocked out Colchester United when they attempt to pull off another scalp tomorrow, writes KIEREN BUSHNELL.

The assistant manager believes the side, who won 1-0 in Essex last month, are good enough to upset Notts County in the Emirates FA Cup second round.

“Obviously we are all very well aware what Notts County are capable of and the kind of players that they have,” he said.

“But we have to go there believing we can produce a performance similar to the one at Colchester.

“We know we are massive underdogs, but we have a lot of players who have been professionals and we have players who can put on a performance.”

The clash at Meadow Lane is the biggest game of Deeney’s coaching career.

The 33-year-old cannot wait to sit in the dugout alongside friend and manager Mark Jones.

“The dynamic between Mark and myself works well,” he said.

“I think if you had two of me, it would exhaust everybody.

“I certainly have energy and enthusiasm – I’ve never been one who can just sit down and enjoy the game.

“I do enjoy them, but I thrive on the intensity.

“You look at Mark, and although he has that in him too, he’s very methodical and very logical.

“He reflects calmly on games, where maybe I’m more driven by emotion.

“But Mark is a manager who is very trusting in his staff. He’s the manager and he always has to make the final decision, but he always listens.

“We don’t always agree on everything, but that’s one of the strengths of the partnership. We bounce of each other quite well.”

Meanwhile, Deeney has been delighted with City’s upturn in fortunes since the Colchester victory.

He says he never had any doubt that this players were good enough.

He said: “We believe we have good enough players to be more than a match for anyone.

“We certainly aren’t going to Notts County with a mentality of accepting our fate.

“The challenge for us is not looking at the game as a season-definer.

“We can go there and express ourselves.

“We know what is at stake, but we also know what massive rewards are there for us.”