1 week Ago
The 51-year-old replaced Des Buckingham in December, and has guided the U’s to seven wins and six draws from his first 19 Sky Bet Championship matches. A statement victory was recorded at the weekend with the 1-0 win against Sheffield United, and Rowett’s side was roared on by a vociferous home crowd. READ ALSO: U’s will not face further punishment after second ‘transfer ban’ in 10 months Rowett said: “I’d played against Oxford United before, I’d been to the ground, I’d managed against the team, and sometimes you have a perception.
“It feels like a really nice club and a really warm club. I think that is very true, and one thing I probably did undervalue in a way, and you don’t realise until you get here, is just how passionate that support base is. “They’ve got behind the team, and I have to say, even in the first few games when maybe for someone like myself following someone that’s been really popular, and you wonder whether maybe it might take a little bit of time and you might have to earn the right to get that support, but I have to say the fans have been behind us right from the first day.
“I think it shows how much they care about their club, and it shows how much they want to stay in this division, and how much we feel we can stay in this division. “I don’t take it for granted. I’m aware it’s not easy every moment of the game to get behind your team, but I think so far, I have to say the fans have been absolutely immense and a big part of why we’re in the position that we’re in.
” CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE OXFORD MAIL ONLINE (Image: Newsquest) Next up for United is tonight’s home clash against a Queens Park Rangers side without a win in seven games. Rowett said: “They’re suffering at the moment a little bit in that period of time where maybe they’ve got one or two injuries that make it difficult to get the rhythm that you want. “We saw what QPR did last season, which was go on an incredible run to turn their season around, and I think they’ve been pretty consistent this season around mid-table.
“Marti [Cifuentes, head coach] has done a fabulous job there. They’ll want to come and win the game, and try to put it to bed for them. “We want to try and win the game and see if we can build on what was a great three points.
It only becomes a great three points if you go and add to that. “We know the challenge, we know they’re a good team, we know they’ve got good players. We’ll always be respectful of how good teams are and how good they can be on the day in this division.
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