Wilder eyes overdue FA Cup run for Oxford United (From Bicester Advertiser)

Wilder eyes overdue FA Cup run for Oxford United

10:20am Friday 2nd November 2012 in Sport By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

CHRIS Wilder wants Oxford United to emulate Bradford City’s achievements in the Capital One Cup as they attempt to begin a long-awaited FA Cup run at Barnet tomorrow.

The U’s have fallen at the competition’s first hurdle in the last two seasons.

It is a record the squad are keen to halt with a victory at Underhill, which would put them into the draw for the second round on Sunday afternoon.

Wilder has drawn inspiration from fellow npower League Two side Bradford, who this week reached the quarter-finals of the Capital One Cup by beating Wigan Athletic 4-2 on penalties.

The aim for all sides in FA Cup action tomorrow is to reach the third round, when the Premier League clubs enter.

United have not reached the last 64 for a decade, but Wilder believes his side are well capable of putting a run together.

He said: “We’ve seen Bradford do exceptionally well in the league cup and if it’s your day, you play well and get the bounce of the ball then there will be a team at our level, or even below us, that will get to the third and fourth rounds.

“There have been many examples of it and we’d love it to happen for everybody connected with our football club.

“Last year (a 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United) we were very disappointed, we didn’t turn up.

“The first year it was a side in transition when we went up to Burton (losing 1-0).

“But this is a new year, there’s no reason why we can’t progress.”

United go into the game at Barnet off the back of a 3-1 win away to Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday.

They will be forced to make two changes to the squad, with Johnny Mullins and Jake Forster-Caskey ineligible to play under the terms of their loan agreements.

Lee Cox’s deal from Swindon permits the midfielder to play and he is likely to feature after recovering from a virus which ruled him out for the last two games.

Wilder said: “Possibly Lee, without stating the obvious, is not part of what’s going forward at Swindon, while Jake will be with Brighton, depending on what happens in January.”