Oxford City general manager Justin Merritt is confident his side can overcome their recent poor form when they host high-flying Tamworth tomorrow afternoon, writes Matthew Bruce.

The 2-1 defeat at Worcester City on Tuesday was City’s fourth in succession, while the visitors have fired themselves up to third in Vanarama Conference North with an incredible 12-match winning streak.

But despite the sharp contrast in their recent fortunes, Merritt feels that his side are capable of springing a surprise.

“Tamworth are on an unbelievable run at present, so it’s going to be tough,” he said.

“But all runs come to an end.

“If we’re at it, then I’m confident that we’ll be the ones to bring it to an end.

“To do what they’ve done is a phenomenal effort, but we want to be the ones to stop them.”

A victory this weekend would provide City a considerable confidence boost following a poor run which has seen them drop from sixth in the table at Christmas down to 12th.

It’s a run which Merritt has urged his players to put behind them.

He said: “We’ve lost a few games now and we just need to get back to the philosophy which got us into a good position in the first place.

“We don’t put pressure on players to get results, but we do expect that by having freedom they make the most of it.

“It’s never a smooth journey and there will be ups and downs over the course of the season, for any club.”

He added: “We have aspirations of getting ourselves up the table, but we have to address some of those weaknesses first.

“We should have done better and the players know that.”

Top scorer Adi Yussuf, who missed the recent defeats to Barrow and Worcester with a hamstring strain, is expected to return to the side to boost City’s faltering strikeforce.

Midfielder Darren Mullings remains sidelined with injury, while goalkeeper Mark Scott is also out with a back injury sustained at work.

Defender Alejandro-Adrian Santiago completes his twomatch suspension.

TOMORROW’S SQUAD

Oxford City (v Tamworth, home): from Salva, Scott, Del Alamo, Coulson, Lapoujade, Henderson, Stonehouse, Pond, Rodriguez, Winters, Barcelos, Wilson, Benjamin, Murombedzi, Pearson, Jackson, Fofana.