Des Buckingham, the Oxford United manager, has praised his team as they aim to build on their three-game winning streak as they look to extend their unbeaten run to five games.
With three straight losses in five games in mid-March, capped by a 5-0 thrashing at Bolton Wanderers, Buckingham likely believed his team’s play-off chances were over.
They have accumulated an amazing 13 points from a possible 15, with the only blemish on their flawless record coming from a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury Town, since that defeat. On Saturday, the U’s will be looking to build on their thrilling 5-0 victory over Peterborough United, a play-off team.
Oxford’s matchup with Lincoln City at Kassam Stadium later tonight offers them the opportunity to virtually lock up a spot in the top six. After losing their 16-game winning streak to Wigan Athletic over the weekend, the Imps enter the match knowing that a victory will give them the best chance of making the playoffs.
However, only Barnsley, Bolton and Peterborough have scored more goals than the U’s, who have scored a whopping 76 goals this season. Speaking to the BBC ahead of the potential six-pointer, Buckingham hailed his players and the run they are on:
“We’re starting to put ourselves in a strong position.
“It’s some of the best football we have played since I’ve been here, there’s a real understanding between everyone about how we want to play and what we want to do.
“We need to make sure that we can continue this for the remaining games.”
Following the clash against the Imps, Oxford face Stevenage on Friday night before finishing the season away at Exeter City.
Author’s Perspective
Oxford could argue that a draw would be a respectable outcome. With two games left, they would be four points ahead of Blackpool and five ahead of Lincoln. A victory for the Imps, however, would cut the deficit to just two points, and they would be even more anxious when they go to the Lamex on Friday.
With both teams putting up some incredible performances in recent weeks, it should be an exciting matchup. Although Wigan’s victory at the LNER Stadium over the weekend means that it won’t be a winner-take-all match as we may have been anticipating, a lot still depends on this game. You should watch it.
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