MICHAEL Appleton is hoping Oxford United can make amends for their televised nightmare last season when they face Bristol Rovers this weekend.

Kick-off at the Memorial Stadium has been switched to 12.15pm on Sunday so it can be broadcast by Sky Sports.

It is the first time United have been live on television since October, when they crashed to a 5-1 defeat at Cambridge United.

Appleton, United’s head coach, said: “I hope the same people who were watching last year when we played Cambridge are watching this year, so we can try to put it right.

“We haven’t got a great record in front of the cameras, which we certainly want to do something about.

“There were a few things that went against us in the game which on another day could’ve been very different.

“We just want to put a performance in and if we do that it will give us half a chance of getting the right result.”

The hammering at the Abbey Stadium prompted Appleton to accelerate plans to restructure the squad, with several players in the XI barely featuring for the club again.

From the starting line-up, only Johnny Mullins, Danny Rose and Danny Hylton will play this weekend and the U’s boss is not planning to labour the point in the build-up.

He said: “I’m sure it will get mentioned, but it won’t be one where we will elaborate too much on it.

“Let’s face it, that can happen, it’s just unfortunate for us it was in front of everyone on the Sky cameras.

“It was a disappointing, difficult day to take and I’ll be very surprised if that happens again.”

  • Highlights from Oxford United's previous televised game, at Cambridge United last season