Gaz: I'll have team pumped up for derby (From Bucks Free Press)

Gaz: I'll have team pumped up for derby

10:00am Friday 26th October 2012 in Sport By Andy Carswell

GARETH Ainsworth has promised to have the Wycombe Wanderers players fired up for tomorrow's derby clash with Oxford United.

He wants Blues to repay the fans for their support in recent weeks with a win in the M40 derby - and has urged supporters to turn up in their droves.

The U's look likely to sell out their allocation and Ainsworth wants the stands at Adams Park packed with home fans to create a spicy atmosphere.

The Wanderers caretaker boss said: "If you can, get down and support the boys. These are the reasons people are football fans.

"I'm a Blackburn fan and the Blackburn-Burnley rivalry's always meant a lot to me. I thrived on it. I know what this means and while I won't be doing anything extra, I'll make sure there's nobody giving less than 100 per cent on Saturday.

"This has got the added spice for the fans - it means a lot to them and it means a hell of a lot to me and the players.

"It's going to be a good atmosphere and hopefully there will be plenty of fans coming down. If you can get down and have a bit of banter with our local rivals it'll be all the better.

"On any day the fans make a difference on the pitch. The hardiest professional will tell you if you're doing well and the fans are behind you, you feel ten foot tall.

"Derby games are something special and you can feel proud of your club on the pitch because your fans are outsinging the opposition fans.

"If you win the game you feel like you're giving something back to the fans."

Ainsworth said victory against their near neighbours would be a perfect way to say thank you to supporters for getting behind their team in recent weeks.

He said: "They were singing at 0-0 against Barnet, who are bottom of the league. It could have called for a silent atmosphere towards the end of the game but not the Wycombe fans, they were singing and urging us to go and score that winner.

"They were singing our names and clapping us off at the end. They see the effort and see what we are trying to do, and I think they appreciate it."

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