ROSS JENKINS | WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON OURSELVES
The gaffer previews Saturday's trip to Victoria Park.
Ross Jenkins has said that his Oxford City side need to focus on themselves ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Hartlepool United in the Vanarama National League.
An emphatic win in the reverse fixture saw the Hoops run out 5-2 winners at the RAW Charging Stadium in September.
However, since that meeting at the beginning of the campaign, both clubs find themselves fighting for survival in the fifth tier.
Despite a tricky run of form, Jenkins has said that City will have to be at their best at Victoria Park.
“The first game was a real test as it was the first time we’d played Hartlepool,” Jenkins said.
“We have good memories of that day (the reverse fixture), and we know they’ve had a few indifferent results like we have as well, so we have to bare that in mind.
“We have to address this like every game and that’s to go there and upset them.
“Their league position may be false at times, so we have to go there fully prepared as we’ll be playing a very good Hartlepool team.
“We know it’s not going to be easy.”
Hartlepool were beaten 2-0 at Oldham Athletic last time out, and the Poolies have since disposed of their former-Manager John Askey.
Experienced Manager Lennie Lawrence will be the man in the dug-out on Saturday, and expecting a reaction from his side.
Something that Jenkins says, will make Saturday even tougher.
“We have to be wary that some players might up their game slightly as they know that there’s a new manager coming in, but we can’t focus on that.
“We have to make sure we go there and put in a performance like we have done in our last three games.
“I’ve been really pleased with the performances. Results-wise it doesn’t look like that, but the performances stand out by a mile for me.
“We have to continue to focus on ourselves, as when we do that we give teams a good game.
“He (Lawrence) has great experience in the game, but what the players get from a new manager is a new set of eyes. Players will always want to impress.
“If they were slightly off it last week, they’ll be on it this week.
“It’s something we need to be wary of. We need to expect a reaction, but they need to respect a reaction from us as well.
“It’ll be a good battle, so we need to go there in good spirits. It’s a big club, with a big fan base so we know it’s going to be tough.”
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