Oxford United boss Michael Appleton is relishing the prospect of leading the Yellows out for the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Final in front of more than 30,000 U's supporters.
Appleton’s men take on Barnsley under the arch on Sunday in the 33rd Football League Trophy Final, and the manager believes it will be a great occasion.The boss is also expecting a good footballing spectacle between two in-form sides - his side sit second in League 2 while the Tykes are seventh in League 1, with both teams losing just once in their last nine outings.
“It’s going to be great,” he told oufc.co.uk. “We are going to be backed more fans than any Oxford side before and it is an occasion to cherish and one to remember.
“It’s going to be a tough game. They were on a great run even before they got to the final. I think once they got that run where they lost eight out of nine league games out of the way then the form they have been on has been fantastic.
“They will be desperate to get in the Play-Offs after this game but they will also be favourites for the final as a League 1 side flying high.
“They are a good footballing side so I think it will be a good game for the neutral.
“I think it will be a game where it might be a little bit of chess at the start, figuring each other out, but if it’s close in the latter stages I think you will see a ding-dong game of football with both sides counter attacking each other.”
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