Chris Hargreaves says there’s no question that Oxford United are still going for the title.
Three successive draws have reduced their chances of landing top spot, but that could all change over the next two weeks.
And the 37-year-old midfielder says he can’t wait for next Tuesday’s showdown with Stevenage at Broadhall Way – especially as he has a very good record against them.
“We’ve got to get back to enjoying playing,” he stressed.
“Enjoy the challenge and enjoy playing for a great club.
“I know it’s frustrating for the fans that the wins haven’t been coming.
“It’s not coincidental, that happens at this time.
“It’s coming to the crux, it’s difficult, there’s pressure, but we had those three wins in a row after Luton, so we can do it. And that’s in the same period of the season, so it can be turned around quickly.
“There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind at this club that we’re still going for the title.”
Hargreaves played both in Torquay’s 0-0 draw at Stevenage last April, which helped secure them a place in the play-offs, one place above the Hertfordshire side, and in the 3-0 win over them at Plainmoor last season.
The year before, Torquay beat them 4-2 at home, and 3-1 away, again in the last month of the season, when it was Hargreaves who got the Gulls’ equalising goal as they stormed back to win.
And the season before that – 2006-7 – it was Hargreaves who scored the equalising goal for Oxford as they came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Stevenage.
“I’ve a good record there for Torquay and Oxford over the years, so hopefully that will continue.”
Hargreaves may be rested ahead of the Stevenage battle, but admits he is now over his injury.
“I had a bit of a problem with my groin.
“It was in the Wimbledon game . . . I overstretched with ten minutes to go. I thought it might be something bad, but you think you’re indestructable, don’t you? And you’re not.
“I tried a few injections which didn’t work, and had to ease off a bit to try and get fit, because it’s very difficult to say ‘no, I can’t play’. You always want to play and do well.
“But it’s a lot better now.”
Hargreaves, who lives in south Devon, has been staying up for matches and training, so it wasn’t the long journeys that caused the problem.
“I was travelling in the first few games, I don’t know whether that had anything to do with it.
“I don’t think so because in the Wimbledon game, I felt the joint overstretch.
“I can’t help where I live but I’ve tried, for the last two weeks, by staying up — the family aren’t too happy about it – but at the minute I’ll do anything for us to get promoted “I just do the right thing. If it means staying up for the next two months, I’ll do it.”
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