PETER Kioso is determined to repay the faith shown in him by Gary Rowett after establishing himself as Oxford United’s first choice right back.
The 25-year-old has started the last five Sky Bet Championship games for United, amid competition from Sam Long and Hidde ter Avest for a starting berth.
Kioso recovered well from a first half mistake at Stoke City, in which his sloppy infield pass presented a good opportunity for Andrew Moran.
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He said: “Every time I play, I do try and give that trust back to the gaffer. He’s trusted me as a player, and he’s trusted that I’m going to go out and perform week in and week out.
“That’s probably where the frustration comes from me with the performance in the first half, where I wasn’t up to my standards, but the gaffer has put his trust in me to leave me out there.
“That’s on me as a player in the second half to go out and make sure I’m getting back to basics and doing what I do.
“I know I have great competition in Hidde and Longy, who are both great players. You’ve seen that if I’m not playing, Hidde or Longy is playing, and we’re all able to put in performances.
“I know in myself that I need to keep up my standards and keep up my performances, and at the end of the day, it’s all about who the gaffer picks.
“Right now, he’s been picking me, and I need to make sure I keep my performances high.”
Kioso has found himself playing as a right-sided centre back when Rowett has switched to a five-man defensive unit in recent weeks, but the role is nothing new for Kioso.
He said: “Luckily for me, I’ve played along the whole back four and I’m comfortable along the whole back four.
“I know the gaffer and the rest of the coaching staff in Hacks [Chris Hackett], Saley [Mark Sale] and Shorts [Craig Short], they know I can play there as well, so it’s a credit to me that I’m able to play more than one position.
“I know if he wants to change in-game, the gaffer does trust me to put me in a different position, and I do back myself as a player that I can play different positions. I’m not unfamiliar with those positions at all.”
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About the author
Liam is the sports reporter for the Oxford Mail, primarily focusing on Oxford United.
He joined in November 2019 as a news reporter, and has previously covered patches including West Oxfordshire, education and local politics.
Liam received a Masters in Journalism from UCLan and can be found on X through the handle @OxMailLiamRice