adminOxford United ‘probably a better team now,’ says Sam Long
Oxford United defender Sam Long has said that he thinks this season’s U’s team is superior to last year’s, hailing a ‘more positive’ feeling in OX4.
Gary Rowett’s side currently sit 21st in the Championship, five places worse off than they were last year, however, Long believes that the Yellows are currently in a better place than at this point in the previous campaign.
“It’s weird,” the right back began.
“We had a really good start last year and then had a really tough period before Des was sacked and I think this year it’s been more picking up points more inconsistently, if that makes sense.
“It’s strange; it’s a different feeling but probably a bit more of a positive feeling because it wasn’t that long ago that we did win a game rather than this time last year where we went on a really bad run of games where you were struggling and we didn’t know where our next win was coming from.
“But now I think we’re confident in there. We’re probably a better team now as well, we’ve got better players as well even from last year.
READ MORE: Oxford United: How they compare to last year in Championship
The U’s have a tough test ahead of them on Saturday, with second-placed Middlesbrough arriving at the Kassam.
“We can go into games against good sides like Middlesbrough and get a good result.
“Last year we went 1-0 up against them and then it was an ugly score line but this year we’re fully going into the game knowing that we are more than capable of getting a result and getting the three points.”
It’s been a typical ‘Sam Long season’ this year. Whilst the 30-year-old may not be the first name on the team sheet, he has proved to be an incredibly valuable string in Rowett’s bow.
“For me, because I can play in so many different positions, I know I need to keep myself sharp in all departments.
“This year, I don’t know what I’ve played, six different positions, five different positions, I’ve lost count really, but as long as I’m helping the team in a positive way then that’s all that matters really.”
The Bicester-born boy has been at the club his whole career, playing over 200 games and being a part of the Yellows’ furniture since the League Two days.
A lot has changed since then, but Long clearly always believed he had what it takes to play at a higher level.
“You’ve always got to back yourself,” the Englishman declared.
“In League Two we were a long way off really, playing a lot of different styles of football and there’s been a lot of people come and go.
“I always backed myself to be able to play at a higher level. I’m really thankful that I’ve proved to myself that I can do that.”
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