Promotion is already on agenda for Oxford
OXFORD United boss Michael Appleton admitted he’s already preparing his side for League One after they extended their unbeaten start to the season with victory over struggling Yeovil Town.
The Us are once again among the favourites to win promotion this season and are finally starting to justify that status.
They dominated from start to finish against the Glovers, with goals from Danny Hylton and Callum O'Dowda earning a deserved three points.
And while he acknowledged that there is still a long way to go, Appleton already appears to have his sights set firmly on the higher level.
He said:“It was a very professional performance and I’m very happy.
“The idea is to build a side that can be competitive in League One.
“I know you have to do the business and get out of this division first, but ultimately if you are fortunate to get promotion then you don’t have to make a massive improvement the following season.
“We were decent against an energetic young side and showed all the qualities I was looking for.
“We kept a clean sheet as well and that was almost more important for me than the goals because we were very solid.”
Yeovil fell to their fourth defeat from five league games this season and boss Paul Sturrock is facing a tough challenge to turn things around.
He said:“Oxford are a good side and they were a better team than us. But after playing so well to beat Luton last weekend, to play like we did is mind-boggling.
“We’ll keep working hard to change things but today too many players didn’t turn up.
“Tackles weren’t won, headers weren’t won and we just weren’t good enough.
“If I had a shotgun, I might be able to scare a few of them into action. I’m only joking, but they are better than they are showing at the moment.
“When you have that many poor performances in your team there is not much you can do, but we will turn it around.” Yeovil goalkeeper Artur Krysiak made good early saves to keep out efforts from Hylton and George Baldock, while Stephen Arthurworrey cleared off the line from Kemar Roofe. But Oxford went ahead on 14 minutes when Hylton headed in his fourth of the season.
Yeovil improved slightly after the break, but Oxford remained in control and sealed victory with 15 minutes left.
This time Hylton turned provider with a powerful run into the penalty area before offloading for O’Dowda to convert from close range – Roofe then hit the bar late on.