OXFORD United are looking to be competitive in the EFL Trophy when this season’s campaign kicks off this evening.

The U’s begin their Group F schedule at Northampton Town, with home tests against MK Dons and Chelsea Under-21s later down the line.

Assistant boss Chris Hogg says that he and head coach Liam Manning always want to win, whether that be on the pitch or in games away from football.

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He said: “The manager and myself are trying to build a culture around wanting to be the best version of yourself and win any game you play in, whether that’s table tennis or pool, or cards with my kids at home.

“We want to try and win every game so the team going out there will have the same mentality, and hopefully we can go and do ourselves justice.”

He added: “We’re on the start of our journey at the football club and there’s been loads of positive signs.

“We’ve had a really positive window in terms of the transfers and continually moulding the group, and putting the manager’s and my ethos into the players.

“We’re very aware it’s a journey and there are going to be lots of ups and downs.

“It’s about us staying on task to try and keep our performances at a level where hopefully we can achieve good things.”

About the author

To sign up to Liam’s latest Oxford United newsletter for free, click here: https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/newsletters/

Formerly the politics reporter for the Oxford Mail, Liam now covers all things Oxford United.

Liam attends the U’s home and away, as well as covering other big sports stories across the county.

His Oxford United newsletter is released every Saturday morning at 6am.