JENKINS HAS MUCH HOPE FOR HOOPS!
ROSS Jenkins believes keeping a tight-knit squad has benefited Oxford City this season.
The Hoops finished third in National League South, two places higher than last year, giving them a bye to the semi-finals.
It gives them home advantage today against Worthing at the RAW Charging Stadium, where Oxford have scored at in every game since Jenkins initially came in as caretaker manager in January 2022 before landing the top job two months later.
Oxford called upon 27 players in the league all campaign, only Taunton (22) and Ebbsfleet (25) used fewer.
“I feel like we’ve got the recipe right for this season,” Jenkins told The NLP. “It’s a hungry squad that want to develop, learn and work for each other.
“We’ve kept some key, core players, who have got big value in my opinion. There are some local players who know what it means to play for the football club and that’s important.
“Performances have been great – we’re in this position for a reason. Hopefully the players can look back in a few weeks’ time whatever happens and know they’ve done a really good job.”
Oxford beat Worthing 3-0 at home in February, exacting revenge for a 1-0 defeat in West Sussex three months previous.
“It’s a different Worthing now,” warned Jenkins. “They’re smelling a bit of success and we need to make sure we dampen that down on the day.
“It’ll be tough. The emotions of play-offs are always high. As long as we get the performance right I think we’ll be ok. When we look after the performance, the result looks after itself.
“We know what they’re about but we can’t underestimate the play-off occasion. Players will have an extra 10 per cent in their engine. We have to anticipate those factors.
“We’re only a couple of games from where we want to be. The next hurdle is going to be an interesting one.”
While largely sticking to a settled side outfield, Jenkins has had issues between the sticks.
Ben Dudzinski left for Dartford in February, and loan replacements Archie Matthews and Adnan Kanuric both picked up injuries.
The fourth incumbent is Chris Haigh, on loan from champions Ebbsfleet United, giving him an opportunity to win promotion with different clubs.
“It’d be nice for Chris to get another tick on his CV but we’ve still got two games to go,” downplayed Jenkins. “He’s slotted straight in, gelled on day one like the others.”