THE rewards at stake for all teams playing in the FA Cup second round this weekend scarcely need mentioning, but Michael Appleton admits he is greedily hoping for another crack on a big stage.

In many ways Oxford United fans are still waiting for the league campaign to really take off, but a frustrating first half of the season has included a memorable night.

While the U’s remained pointless in Sky Bet League Two back in August, they showed flashes of potential in the Capital One Cup.

After beating Bristol City, something no team in League One managed until last month, they drew West Brom in the second round.

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Almost 2,000 fans were treated to a superb display from the underdogs, at the Hawthorns, who took the Baggies all the way to a penalty shoot-out before finally succumbing.

Victory against Tranmere Rovers tomorrow would put Oxford United in the third round draw with the Premier League teams.

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  • Almost 2,000 Oxford United fans backed the side at the Hawthorns

Appleton is normally reluctant to look too far ahead, but the United head coach admitted the prospect to go toe-to-toe with another big gun would be used to motivate his players.

“I think it’s important to mention it, they’re not daft,” he said.

“I think the games in the League Cup certainly should whet their appetite for what potentially could be round the corner in the third round.

“Going to West Brom after a difficult start I genuinely thought from the half-hour mark we were the better team and should’ve won the game.

“I’d just like to see the lads get the opportunity to go and play against another side who have the quality like those two, just to give that extra self-belief to our players that they can match anyone.

“You get greedy and you want those type of nights more regularly.

“But you’ve got to keep putting those performances in.

“At the end of the day, if we don’t perform on Saturday, Tranmere are going to turn us over.”

Although United have yet to find a way to string a series of wins together, there is a definite sense they are going in the right direction.

Win or draw tomorrow and they will be five games unbeaten – their longest run without a defeat this season.

Appleton continues to stress the side are a work in progress, a situation which is expected to persist until next summer.

But the U’s boss is convinced those in the existing squad are feeling the benefits.

He said: “I genuinely believe they are better players in the short time they have been in this side in the way we play than they were last season or previous seasons.

“When I speak to a player when I first meet them, I say we’re going to fall out at some point because I can’t pick you every week unless you’re outstanding every week.

“There will be issues, but ultimately I can look myself in the mirror if I know from over the time we work together, whether that’s one month, or four years, as long as you’re a better player after that, then I’ve done my job.”

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