Andy Whing says Oxford United should expect to beat Hartlepool United this afternoon despite the Football League’s bottom club appointing a new manager this week.

The clash at Victoria Park will be Ronnie Moore’s first in charge and the club, who were also bought out this week, have cut ticket prices to try and encourage a bigger crowd.

United will be attempting to spoil the party and although they lost 2-1 at Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup this week, Michael Appleton’s men start as favourites in the north east.

They beat a strong Bury side 2-1 a week ago and are four games unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two, while their hosts are on a five-match losing streak.

Whing said: “We should expect to win, definitely.

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“Especially on the back of recent performances and the result on Saturday against what is, on paper, probably the best team in the league.

“We’ve got to take that into the next couple of games.”

He added: “They’re always going to be rejuvenated with a new manager, but we will play the way we have been.

“They’ve been struggling and we’ve got to capitalise on that.

“Hopefully Ronnie Moore’s start won’t be too pleasant.”

It will be the third time this season United have come up against a team playing their first game under a new manager.

In October they beat Tranmere Rovers 2-0 while Micky Adams watched from the stands, while last month Paul Buckle began life at Cheltenham Town with a 1-1 draw at Whaddon Road.

Whing said: “You’re going to expect a lively start because there might be a bit more of a crowd and more of a sense of excitement with the new manager.

“He will get into them, so that aspect will change, but other than that it’s still the same players.”

Whing was replaced by Josh Ruffles for the second round replay in midweek, but is expected to return today.

He said: “I’ve played a lot of games lately and I thought Ruffs did fantastically well on Tuesday.

“We’ve got a lot of football coming up in the next ten days or so and the gaffer said ‘get ready for that’.”

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