adminGary Rowett reveals late Mark Harris call for Oxford United
Oxford United boss Gary Rowett has revealed he almost decided against starting goal scorer Mark Harris before his side’s victory over Ipswich Town.
The Wales international opened the scoring for the U’s when he pounced on a mishit pass from Azor Matusiwa and fired past Christian Walton on his second attempt to break a long duck without a goal.
It was the second game that the striker had started in a row after beginning the Yellows 1-1 draw against Norwich City in midweek.
“Starting Sparky instead of Will, that was one that I toyed with all day,” Rowett admitted.
“I was very close to starting Will. I actually alluded to Will in the week that he probably would start. He’s a goal threat, but, having watched a little bit more of the games, I felt as though Sparky would need to start the game just to disrupt them. And I hoped he’d get his goal.
“He’s looked like doing it, he’s looked confident in training. I thought he played really well against Norwich so really nice to see it come.
“I think the rest of the players will be buzzing for him because they know the value he brings, they know how hard he works.
READ MORE: Gary Rowett reveals decisive moment as Oxford beat Ipswich
“He also played in a lot of those games last year where he set the tone from the front, against Sunderland [for example]. You don’t have to score to show your worth for the team. Really pleased for him tonight.
“If he’s not scoring goals and you’re a number nine, you’re going to come under fire and people are going to question maybe why you’re choosing that player. But when you see him day in, day out, he works so hard for the team.
“He’s such a selfless player, he presses brilliantly. We watched a lot of Ipswich, they build really well. If you let them just build all the time then they’re going to open you up so you need that energy from the front.”
With Mark Harris breaking the deadlock, goalkeeper Jamie Cumming’s heroics kept the U’s in the mix across the length of the 90 minutes.
“There was that one moment where your heart was in your mouth,” the 51-year-old said, recalling the keeper’s big save from Ivan Avon’s late chance.
“He came out and, like all good keepers do, made himself big and made it a very difficult target to bypass and beat.
“He took one straight in the face and was down for a while but when you choose to be a goalkeeper when you’re a kid at school, you don’t anticipate those moments later in your life,” Rowett joked.
“He’s made some big saves. I thought also his composure and handling on crosses, would’ve been very easy to not come and dominate and make those moments, but he did. As an ex-defender, I know how appreciative you are in those moments when you’re under the cosh [and] your keeper catches it and all of a sudden you can have a little breather.”
The U’s head to Swansea City next Saturday for another important bottom-half Championship clash.
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