IF looks could kill, Oxford United’s backroom staff would have been in danger this week.

Managers and coaches across the Football League were all faced with a decision to make this week.

After sending out their strongest teams for the opening league game of the season, who do you pick for the EFL Cup first round?

Many opted to shuffle the pack, using it as an opportunity to look at fringe players and keep star names in reserve for the weekend.

It was an option suggested by United’s sports science department to Michael Appleton ahead of the trip to Birmingham City on Tuesday night, but it was not on the table for long.

“Interestingly, they tried to persuade me about resting one or two players,” the U’s head coach said.

“I think it was just a look (from me) and they got the answer.

“It was put to bed pretty quickly, because thoughts of resting players after one game of the season don’t sit well with me.

“They got the message loud and clear, but thank God the players Scott (Daly) and Procs (Andrew Proctor) were talking about were fine and came through it with no problems.”

It turned out to be a wise move – United, who made a single, enforced alteration, winning 1-0 against a Blues side containing nine changes.

At the same stage last season, Brentford quickly regretted swapping their entire XI as Appleton’s men ran riot on the way to a 4-0 win.

They went on to have runs in all three cup competitions last season, leading to a 59-game campaign.

It was put to the U’s boss a similar schedule would make life difficult, given the side had stepped up to Sky Bet League One.

But for Appleton, consistency is king, and he believes competing at a higher level should not prohibit battling on multiple fronts.

He said: “If we’re looked after from an injury point of view then I don’t see any reason why not.

“It’s the rest between the games, not what you do in the games.

“If you have a consistent team week-in, week-out, then if you look after them properly between the games there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to perform in them.”

He added: “I’m a firm believer that if I have to make changes I will.

“From a sports science point of view if someone needs a rest then they will get it.

“We did it many times last year, even with some of our top performers, like Kemar Roofe.

“But ultimately I like to get the players to know each other.

“If you’re going into a period of nine months and a minimum of 51 games, consistency is the be all and end all.”

He added: “It’s just nice to win a game and I’m always from that school of thought: get your first win and build from there.”

And the good news for those heading to Bristol Rovers on Sunday is despite the midweek cup heroics, United are some way off top gear.

“We’re probably about 60 or 70 per cent of where we want to be in both boxes at the minute,” Appleton said.

“We like to be clinical in the way we defend and we’re definitely improving all the time on that.

“In the opposition’s box we’re getting better by the game.”