Chris backs U's fighting spirit

7:31am Saturday 6th September 2008

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Chris Carruthers says Oxford United's last two fightbacks have given the team real belief in their recovery powers.

The U's fought back with ten men to earn a draw at Ebbsfleet last Saturday, thanks to Levi Reid's injury-time equaliser, and followed that up by coming from behind to win 2-1 at Northwich on Tuesday, with James Constable grabbing both goals.

And now, as United prepare for their home game against Kettering today, Kettering-born Carruthers - who had a short spell at the Northamptonshire club in 2004-5 - says United have a new-found confidence.

"It's a big positive we've taken from this week," he said. "The belief is there that if we go behind we can pull it back.

"You could see the other night, the work ethic and everything, and we managed to win an away game after going behind."

"That's important. Games like that can be as important as winning a game 3-0."

United will, of course, be hoping to go in front rather than fall behind, and manager Darren Patterson is stressing the importance of starting the match well.

Promoted from Blue Square North as champions, the Poppies are unbeaten this season and have the best defensive record in the division, having conceded only four goals.

"It will be really tough to break them down, but it's up to us to get the fans behind us and get the three points," Carruthers said.

"I went on loan to Kettering when I was 18 or 19, when I was at Northampton. I was coming back from injury and I went there for a month to get a couple of games.

"That was when they were in Conference North. I always keep an eye on them, and i know a few of their players as well. A lot are ex-Northampton players. They've got a good team and did really well last year. They were quite a strong team then so it willbe a physically tough game."

Patterson has to decide whether to continue with the 3-5-2 formation which has worked well in the past two away games, with Carr- uthers operating as left wingback, or return to 4-4-2 as with previous home games, but it will depend on who's fit.

The U's have injury worries over midfielders Adam Murray and Eddie Hutchinson. Captain Murray received a kick on an ankle at Northwich and went for a precautionary X-ray, while Hutchinson reported a sore knee after the game. Both missed training on Thursday and will need late fitness tests. Young midfielder Richard Groves is added to the squad.

"We are already without Jake Cole and two new injuries are the last thing we really need right now," Patterson said. "We will give them as long as possible to recover but if they don't make it then I would have no problem bringing the youngsters in if needs be."

Both goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe and new defender Karleigh Osborne will be making their home debuts.

Striker Iyseden Christie this week joined the Poppies on a four-month loan from Stevenage, and could be on the bench.

Oxford Utd: (from) Hinchliffe, Osborne, Quinn, Willmott, Reid, Burnell, Murray, Hutchinson, Carruthers, Constable, Guy, Odubade, haldane, Day, Clarke, Deering, Groves.

Kettering Tn: (from) Harper, Eaden, Jaszczu, Wrack, Branston, Potter, Beardsley, Boucaud, Seddon, Geohaghan, Westcarr, Christie, Dempster, Dorrill, Graham.