PRESSURE will not be heaped on Oxford United’s talented youngsters as they look to embark on another exciting run in the FA Youth Cup.

United made it all the way to the quarter finals last season, before suffering a 3-0 defeat away to Manchester City.

The U’s saw off the likes of Cardiff City and Leeds United en route to the last eight during the 2022/23 campaign, with a third round tie at Gillingham taking place tonight.

The winners of the clash at Priestfield Stadium will earn a home game against Sunderland in the fourth round.

READ ALSO: Our player ratings after Oxford United secure first league win under Des Buckingham

United though will be without a handful of the stars who shined during last season’s run, including Gatlin O’Donkor, who is now a first team regular.

Meanwhile, the side’s skipper from last season, George Franklin, is nursing an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury suffered in the EFL Trophy win at Northampton Town, with Fraser Barnsley and Erion Zabeli joining Premier League set-ups.

Academy coach Chris Hackett said: “It was a strong group last year, and if you look at it through the spine of the team, you had Gatlin and Josh Johnson.

“Then you had George Franklin, who’s been really unfortunate with his injury at Northampton, because he did really well in that game.

“Then you have Fraser Barnsley, who was sold to Everton, and Erion Zabeli, who Brentford bought.”

Oxford Mail:

On last year’s run, Hackett said: “We’ve not talked about it too much, we’ve reminded the boys of the process and what we’re going through.

“Half the group were involved last year, and it’s given them that incentive and belief as well.

“When you go into games, they know what it’s about. It looks like they’ve got that understanding.

“We don’t put massive pressure on them, it’s about them going and producing a performance as a group, but also for them individually because they’ve got to go out and express themselves.

“We’re confident, but we know it’s going to be a really tough game.”

He added: “Our strategy and the way we look at things, is that the Youth Cup is about winning and the boys understand that the results matter. You’ve got to find a way of getting results.

“League games are about development and performance, and those processes, and the boys understand that.

“We’ve got a strong group and strong staff supporting around it.

“The Youth Cup is getting the boys ready for first team football, and understanding that results matter.

“They’ve got to find a way to win. League games are more about development, but that doesn’t mean it’s not about winning as well, because ultimately they’re a step away from going into men’s football, so it is about winning, but development does play a big part.”