MICHAEL Appleton is relishing the chance to prove the doubters wrong in tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Grimsby Town.

With the hosts riding high in the Vanarama Conference, sitting second after five straight victories, many will expect inconsistent Oxford United to struggle against non-League opposition.

Appleton accepts that his side’s in-and-out form means the match is one that will catch people’s eyes as a potential shock, but is desperate to ensure that is not the case.

“We face a very tough tie, we know that,” he said.

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“We are playing a side who have just gone second in the Conference so are sky-high full of confidence.

“There’s only about seven or eight places between the clubs so I am expecting a fiercely-competitive game, but it will be one which I am looking forward to.

“I will be very surprised if Grimsby are not going into the game expecting to progress into the next round, but having said that, so are we.

“That is going to set up what will hopefully be a good tie.”

He added: “There will be a few upsets across the country and I am sure people are looking at ours thinking that it looks a bit of a sticky tie.”

Appleton spent two months at Grimsby as a player and enjoyed his time at Blundell Park.

It is a ground that was always lucky for the U’s boss, something he is keen to continue tomorrow.

“Grimsby were in the Championship at the time and I remember Kenny Swain bringing me there for a couple of months,” he said.

“I played in an unusual role for me, just off the striker, and I scored in my last game there against Manchester City, so I got stick from the City fans coming from United as a youngster.

“I have some good memories there and then I went back as a player with Preston and scored there too, so it’s been a bit of a lucky ground for me.

“Hopefully that will continue on Saturday.”

United’s players were understandably downbeat in training on Monday morning after the Wycombe defeat, meaning the first job for Appleton and his coaching staff was to lift spirits.

“Individually people react differently to situations,” he said.

“It’s very difficult to accept defeat. If you have a winning mentality.

“On Monday morning we got them onto the pitch and playing football as soon as we could.

“Even though there was a bit of a sombre atmosphere first thing, by the time we finished everyone was back on terms and that was good to see.”

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