Chris Wilder is warning his Oxford United team, and the fans, not to look too far ahead as his side take on Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground today.
It’s a place where United have never won, and many of the Red Dragons team will be fresh since most of Dean Saunders’ men have not played for nearly a fortnight because of international call-ups.
Oxford, the only unbeaten side left in the Blue Square Premier, are five points clear at the top.
And Wilder said: “There’s a lot of complimentary things being said about us, which is good – we’d rather have it that way than the other way – but we’ve got to make sure there is a mindset that people don’t talk about what might happen at the end of the season.
“In a week, a lot of things can go awry.
“The whole mentality of the football club, the staff in every department, will be to keep working hard, and I know the chairman, Kelvin Thomas, has reiterated that.
“My message is that we must not get carried away.”
It’s six hours since the U’s last conceded, Yemi Odubade’s last-minute goal for Stevenage at the Kassam Stadium being followed by four clean sheets.
But goalkeeper Ryan Clarke warns this will be a tough test.
“Wrexham get a good crowd – and it’s going to be our hardest game.,” he said.
“We’ve got to make sure we prepare for it properly, and I’m sure the gaffer will do that.”
Wilder is not expected to make many changes, but his opposite number, Saunders, seems likely to recall experienced striker Gareth Taylor.
Saunders has changed from 4-4-2 to 3-5-2 since signing 37-year-old ex-Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair.
The former Manor Ground favourite said: “Having played four games in eight days, the international break is a chance to recharge the batteries.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my days at Oxford. It pains me to see them playing at this level because they are a great club with a proud tradition – much like ourselves – and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see us playing each other in the Football League next season.”
Wrexham: (probable) Maxwell; Westwood, Mansour, Assoumani, Sinclair; Obeng, Fairhurst, Fleming, Taylor, Jones; Taylor, Williams. Subs from: Taboubi, Baynes, Cieslewicz, Spann, Smith.
Oxford Utd: (probable) Clarke; Batt, Foster, Creighton, Kinniburgh; Bulman, Murray, Clist; Green, Constable, Cook. Subs from: Turley, Sandwith, Chapman, Midson, Potter, Perry, Kelly.
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