Davis: frustrating the home fans could be key for Oxford United (From Banbury Cake)

Davis: frustrating the home fans could be key for Oxford United

9:20am Friday 22nd March 2013 in U's News By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

THE need for a strong start will be even more important than normal for Oxford United tomorrow, according to Liam Davis.

The defender spent three seasons with Northampton Town, so knows all about playing at Sixfields.

The Cobblers’ position in the top six owes much to a superb home record, which is the second best in npower League Two this season.

It is an impressive record, but Davis knows the home crowd can quickly lose patience if the opening stages do not go Northampton’s way.

The 26-year-old is certainly looking for a better start than in last season’s meeting, when Luke Guttridge scored in the opening minute, but believes a bright opening from the visitors could turn the home fans.

He said: “I always found when we were at Sixfields sometimes the fans would get impatient.

“It happens at other places like Gillingham, where if they’re not 1-0 up after 25 minutes the fans start moaning and groaning.

“It was a bit similar when I was at Northampton, so if we can frustrate their fans, that will obviously help us.

“As with any footballer, if your fans are moaning and groaning it’s going to frustrate you.

“Looking back to last season’s game, we didn’t have the best of starts and that made it a difficult game for us.

“But if we start well, which we’ve done in a lot of games this season, and we add a goal to that, then it will help us a lot.”

Davis, who got a mixed reception on his return to Sixfields last season, still lives in Northampton and admits whatever the result he could be on the receiving end come Sunday morning.

“I could be getting grief either way, if we win and I score the winner then someone could try to egg my house,” he joked.

“It’s all part of it, there will probably be some fans who boo me.

“I left there a couple of seasons ago, so my attachment to Northampton is that I live there now.

“There was a smally minority last season booing me. When you leave a club some fans aren’t happy and they let you know it when you come back.

“They’re doing all right now, I’m sure they won’t focus on a former player but there will probably be a couple of people in the stands who want to have a bit of fun.”