'I don't think there was a lot between us'

FINE margins . . . Athletic manager John Sheridan (right) and assistant manager Tommy Wright

ATHLETIC manager JOHN SHERIDAN felt that Oxford had the edge when it came to creating and accepting opportunities in the final third:

"Result-wise, it is hard to take, as you are at home on the first day of the season and wanting to get off to a good start. I don't think there was a lot between the two teams. The fine margins and obviously the two goals cost us.

"The performance was not too disappointing, though I don't think there was enough craft or nous high up the pitch.

"That is what the difference was. I was disappointed with the first goal as we had four defenders marking one player. A manager or coach can't make decisions on the pitch for players.

"The goal would have been avoided had someone stepped in another five or 10 yards to the lad receiving the ball, to contest it so that he could not turn and face us up. We should have scored just before that as well.

"The second goal was down to not tracking runners.

"The performance was not too bad but again we haven't scored and we didn't work their goalkeeper enough.

"Craig Davies and Tope Obadeyi had good chances and other than that there were a few balls dropping in and around their goalkeeper. Higher up the pitch, they were better on the ball than us.

"When we got into wide areas, our distribution was not good and our crossing into the box was poor.

"I can't fault the effort from the players and I can take things from the game that will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season."

"I was really pleased with Ben Wilson. He didn't have much chance with the goals and in what he had to do, he was excellent."

OXFORD boss PEP CLOTET was delighted to get his reign at the club off to a good start:

"It's a very nice way to start and credit to the players for achieving it.

"The way we have started is a dream come true. I'm proud of the way we played at a tough place to come.

"In pre-season the attitude, work rate and detail have all been there and we have brought them into the first game.

"I'm happy because I saw some really good performances, but I'm also happy because we did it as a team and managed to control it for a long time.

"It's only one game and we need to keep showing the same attitude every time we play. I'm hoping we get a lot of support at the home games and I'm hoping I will see the same mentality from the players.

"They have shown a good attitude and knew how to manage the performance, even when we had 10 men because Mike Williamson was off having stitches."