ROSS Jenkins says his players don’t want protecting as his Oxford City side chase a top-three position in Vanarama National League South.
The Hoops have already secured a play-off place but by finishing second or third, they would avoid the eliminator ties.
Sides that finish from fourth to seventh take part in two eliminator ties, and with City currently third and level on points with fourth-placed Chelmsford City, head coach Jenkins is faced with a dilemma as whether or not to rest players for the final two games of the regular season.
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He said: “It’s a tough one. What do you do with your players, do you protect them or do you continue as normal?
“We’ve been getting results so do we change what’s been working?
“We’ve got to be sensible but we’ve got to train as normal, and we’ve got to work hard and put the miles in so I don’t think they’re going to get protected too much.
“I don’t think they want protecting, they need to get through it and come through the other end together.
“We want to finish as high as possible, to get that advantage at the end of the season.
“We’ve got a lot of players to pick from, we’ve got the injured boys coming back so having that selection headache is a good one but we’re not going to change in terms of our consistency and our messages.”
The Hoops welcome a Havant & Waterlooville side with fading play-off ambitions in their final home game of the season tomorrow afternoon.
Jenkins said: “We’ve got to focus on Havant, they’re due a win and we’ve got to make sure it’s not against us.
“They’ve got spirit and character but we can’t just look at the form, we’ve got to look at the club and the personnel.
“They’ve got some really good players and we’ve got to respect that.”
North Leigh’s one season in Southern League Premier South comes to an end after conceding a stoppage time equaliser at Plymouth Parkway. The Millers needed to win their final two games to stand a chance of survival https://t.co/bOSkfgGWAU
— Liam Rice (@OxMailLiamRice) April 20, 2023
Banbury United have effectively secured National League North football for next season, as they sit six points above the relegation zone with two games to go.
Andy Whing’s side welcome play-off outsiders Spennymoor Town this weekend.
North Leigh drew 1-1 with Plymouth Parkway last night, conceding a stoppage time equaliser to confirm their relegation from Southern League Premier South.
The Millers then welcome Truro City on Saturday afternoon.
Didcot Town, already secure of a play-off spot in Southern League Central Division, end the season by welcoming Waltham Abbey.
Kidlington host Hertford Town, while Thame United make the trip to Barton Rovers.
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