Oxford United captain says team is underdog in play-off final

The U’s finished fifth in the table at the end of the regular season, 10 points shy of third-placed Bolton Wanderers, who they will meet in tomorrow’s Wembley play-off final.

There is also the small matter of the Trotters thrashing United 5-0 when the sides met in the league just two months ago.

This week, players and staff from both teams have distanced themselves from that result though, highlighting that tomorrow’s game is a one-off final.

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U’s captain Moore said: “We’ll be going into this game as the underdogs. From the outside, everyone will think that Bolton will win.

“We’re going to make sure that we go in full of confidence, and know what we can do.

“We have to have confidence and faith in ourselves, to get to the next level, or there’s no point in going to the game.”

The Trotters have built a reputation as a possession-based team which looks to win games by keeping the ball, and working spaces to then exploit.

In the first leg of their play-off semi-final against Barnsley, they went a little bit more direct than usual though, something Moore said he and his United teammates will be ready for if Bolton look to repeat that trick.

Moore said: “We’re prepared for whatever they throw at us. We know they can play football if we let them, and we know they can go direct if they have to.

“We’re prepared and we’re set up in a way that we can deal with both.”

Moore meanwhile is set to lead the U’s out at Wembley tomorrow afternoon, a moment he is set to cherish.

He said: “I know there’s going to be a lot of emotion and excitement leading up to the game, so I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like walking out.

“I really am just trying to focus on what I need to do, and what as players we need to do.

“The excitement and feeling leading up to it is a great feeling. It’s something that I’m really going to cherish.”

United’s players will visit the national stadium later today, in an attempt to get an early feel for their surroundings.

Moore said: “It’s important for those that haven’t been there, but also the likes of me, who have been there. It’s good to go and see where you’re going to play, and take it all in.

“Hopefully then when you rock up on Saturday, it’s not too much of a shock, and you get your head in the game early on.”