JOE Bennett is relishing Oxford United’s underdog status and reckons the U’s can cause a few upsets in Sky Bet Championship this season.
United are among many bookmakers’ favourites to be relegated straight back to League One, but confidence within the U’s camp is high that the team can ruffle some feathers in the second tier.
That is demonstrated by Bennett, who believes United’s playing style will help them shock a few teams, particularly on home soil.
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He said: “You look at the squad, and you look at the team, and I think we are an inexperienced team, but you can only play with what’s in front of you.
“We had a little bit of a shock against Coventry in the FA Cup last season, and that’s the standard that you’re up against.
“It’s going to be difficult, but I’m optimistic that we can do really well and shock a few teams. Not many people will want to come here and play against us.
“I think sometimes it’s good be an underdog. I quite like being the underdog because there’s less pressure on you, and you can just go about your business and do your job under the radar.
“I think that’s what we’ll do this season, we’ll try and shock a few teams that come to the Kassam, and play well away from home.”
The U’s have added 11 players to their squad this summer, with goalkeepers Jamie Cumming, Matt Ingram and Jacob Knightbridge, full backs Jack Currie and Peter Kioso, midfield trio Idris El Mizouni, Louie Sibley and Will Vaulks, and wingers Malcolm Ebiowei, Matt Phillips and Przemyslaw Placheta all signing.
Bennett said: “We’ve signed quite a lot of players, and it does take time to gel, but we need to get going quick.
“The Championship is unforgiving at times, and if you don’t start well, then you struggle. We need to be bang on it come the weekend.
“I’m looking forward to going to all the amazing stadiums in the Championship, and there are some good teams.
“That’s what you want to do as a footballer, play in front of many people against good teams, and test yourself.”
In June, Bennett agreed fresh terms which will keep him at United for a further year.
“This is the only option I wanted to take up because I had such a good time last season. I fitted in straight away, and that Wembley final was the icing on the cake,” he said.
“I just wanted to continue that in the Championship. I think we’re good enough to play some good football this season, and I think we’ll upset a few teams.
“Our aim is to stay in the division, and I’m sure we can do that with the squad that we’ve got.”