Is this a game where you need to keep your eye on the ball?
TE: I don’t know, that’s not the way I approach games. I think he could have said the same thing on Wednesday.
I have a different mindset going into games, so that shouldn’t be an issue. Focus on the job. We know what we need to do to win and we need to do it.
How much did that defeat at Oxford hurt you?
TE: It was a tough one. We knew how important it was to start that block of four games positivel and there were some turning points in that game.
If you win that game, nobody asks in the end, but we didn’t. It was a tough one. I think it did have an impact on the games that came up after.
We know about the importance of tomorrow. We are very well prepared and we’ll make sure that we are full of energy and play a good game.
Is the biggest challenge having energy at the end of such a tough spell?
TE: I have no doubt that we will, because I think we’ve always been able to turn it on for games. I think it will be exactly the same tomorrow.
Oxford are in good form under Matt Bloomfield. What do you expect?
TE: A good team. They were only a couple of minutes away in the last game to make it four wins in a row. We know that they are coming in good form.
We’ve had this over the last games, that we’ve always faced teams that are full of confidence. It was the same on Wednesday and the weekend before.
We know what to expect. They do have some moments where they can hurt you if you’re not awake, so it will be a challenging game for us.
Will it be another game where you need patience at St Mary’s?
TE: Let’s see. Obviously, we tried to open up the game at one point, but it’s always nice to have an idea. The reality sometimes is a different one.
I think that we are very well prepared, we know what to expect. It might be that we get the chance to get the game on our side.
It might be that we need to be very patient. We are prepared for all scenarios, but it’s going to be a big challenge.
Has anything changed in the mood after moving into the top six?
TE: We need to focus on the job. I haven’t noticed anything being different.I think the group, the players, are so focused on what’s coming up.
They looked so sharp and focused today in training and we will need to keep that consistency.
With uncertainty about next season, how do you handle player contracts?
TE: The first thing we need to do is make a commitment for our players. We’ve had enough chances to see what the players can give to the group.
I think the commitment is there, independent of where we’re going to be next year, because we should know the players well enough by now.
With a break coming up, what will the focus be next week?
TE: That process never ends. There are so many things where we are going in a good direction, but there are still margins that we need to overcome.
I think sometimes to step away for a couple of days even gives you some fresh thought and reflection on the things that come up.
So I think I will need a couple of days to just let the football be football. Then I think with the freshness of a couple of days, we’ll be straight back in.
What is the latest on injuries ahead of the game?
TE: The questions are going to be for two players [Leo Scienza and Ross Stewart]. They’ve both been on pitch today.
I’m quite positive that at least one of them is going to be available.