Can the U’s spark the belief back into the team and fans after getting 3 points during the week to stem the abysmal run in September of 6 straight league defeats.
You can`t pick a harder test at the moment for the U`s in hosting top of the table Gillingham who have won all 5 away matches this season. It`s a new manager at the helm this season in Martin Allen. His teams are tough to break down but it`s at the other end they are the most lethal team in the division with an average of 2.3 goals scored per match.
When we look at our team we picked up more injuries this week, but have good news in that Adam Chapman could be making a return this weekend to the squad.
We found the net 3 times on Tuesday through Potter, Smalley and Forster-Caskey so hopefully that will give us the confidence to grind out a result against the Gills.
Oxford United Team News:
Oxford United team last match:21 Brown (Clarke – 60),02 Batt,04 Raynes (Worley – 33),06 Wright,23 O’Brien,14 Rigg,18 Forster-Caskey,19 Cox (Heslop – 46),10 Smalley,15 Potter,29 Craddock
Substitutes:01 Clarke,17 Capaldi,22 Worley,24 Boateng,08 Heslop,20 Leven,
09 Constable
Player to watch: Jake Forster-Caskey
Appears to have shaken off his illness to come back into form with an opening goal in the last match against Wimbledon.
Gillingham Team News:
Gillingham team last match:01 Nelson,02 Fish,03 Martin,06 Flanagan,26 Barrett,28 Wright,04 Payne (Frampton – 69),07 Whelpdale (Weston – 58),14 Allen,09 Kedwell,20 Burton (Findley – 75)
Substitutes:21 Forecast,12 Frampton,15 Davies,16 Montrose,24 Weston,10 Strevens,29 Findley
Player to watch: Deon Burton
The much travelled 35 year old Jamaican International still knows where the back of the net is. 9 games 4 goals so far this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Formed in 1893 they are know as the Gills.
Oxford record V Gillingham Won 7 drawn 12 lost 19.
Match Prediction:
Oxford 2 Gillingham 2
Scorers Potter and Leven
Next Fixtures:
Tuesday 9th October away to Cheltenham in the Southern section of the JP Trophy Roiund 2 KO 19:45hrs