JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink says his side will need get on the front foot against Oxford when the Brewers take on the U’s at the Kassam Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
The manager spoke on the risks of playing on the front foot against Oxford, highlighting the threats they possess when playing in transition.
The hosts are the highest-scoring side in Sky Bet League One and Hasselbaink says he side will do their best to shut them out.
“They are a good side, they had a bad result down at Portsmouth but they are a team that play with a lot of energy,” Hasselbaink said.
“They have good players going forward, they like to control the game with the ball in possession and they are where they are in the league for a reason.
“It’s going to be a tough game, a game where we can’t give much away.
“We want it to be a tight game, we can’t afford to sit back and we have to attack them. Sitting back is the wrong thing to do and we have to try and keep them on the back foot.
"That could prove dangerous as they are very good in transition, but we will do our best to shut them out.”
Speaking on the squad, Hasselbaink says that almost everybody is back fit and available selection. The only absentee for tomorrow’s trip is Brewers academy graduate Ciaran Gilligan with a hamstring injury.
“The squad is looking good, everybody is ok," said Hasselbaink.
"The only one is Gilligan at the moment who remains out for tomorrow.”
“Other than that, everybody else in the squad is available for selection tomorrow.”