Ian Atkins has issued a challenge to Oxford United's fans ahead of Sunday's big screen test against Swindon.

Ian AtkinsHe is asking them directly just how badly they want victory over their derby rivals in the televised FA Cup second-round tie, and to show it by the noise they make.

"How much do you want it as a crowd?" he asked last night.

"We want the noise to be deafening when the teams walk out on to the pitch.

"The crowd can play a massive part in the game. When the teams are read out at the start, if they raise the roof every time an Oxford player's name is heard, and drown out every Swindon player's name, what a lift that would give our team.

"I haven't experienced one of these derbies, but everyone tells me the noise is great.

"We've put in an awful lot of hard work to turn this club around - I've put in a phenomenal number of hours - now the fans can do their bit and show how desperately they want this win, to take us through into the third round of the FA Cup.

"The volume our fans made at the Charlton game, even the Villa and Luton games here . . . if we can increase that, it would be such a psychological boost for the home team and could have a massive effect on the match.

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