[h=3]Oscar pledges his battered troops will be ready for Rams[/h]5:00am Tuesday 6th May 2014 in Albion By Andy Naylor
Oscar Garcia is now focused on the play-offs after the excitement of snatching a play-off spot
Albion head coach Oscar Garcia has vowed to have his battered troops ready for the challenge of toppling Derby County in the play-offs.
The Seagulls have refocused on Thursday evening’s first leg at the Amex following Saturday’s sapping and exhilarating snatching of sixth spot at Nottingham Forest.
Oscar will almost certainly be without Bruno (groin) and Dale Stephens (ankle) again for Derby’s visit.
Keith Andrews and Matt Upson were among the players also carrying knocks ahead of the Forest game but Albion have regrouped as they attempt to avenge their two narrow defeats against Derby during the regular season.
Oscar told The Argus: “We have a game on Thursday against a team we haven’t beaten in the league and we will be ready to try to beat them.
“We are at home in the first game in front of our fans and I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere. We’ll do our best.
“They (Derby) deserve to be there, they deserved to finish third. “For me they were the third-best team in the league. Their season was fantastic but we will be ready.”
Oscar would rather be away in the first leg, despite Albion’s defeat in the second leg at the Amex against Crystal Palace under Gus Poyet last year.
The Spaniard said: “I know what happened last season but I would always want to have the final game at home.”
Albion are 7-2 outsiders with most bookmakers to win the play-offs. Derby are the 9-4 favourites, QPR and Wigan 5-2.
Original article
Albion head coach Oscar Garcia has vowed to have his battered troops ready for the challenge of toppling Derby County in the play-offs.
The Seagulls have refocused on Thursday evening’s first leg at the Amex following Saturday’s sapping and exhilarating snatching of sixth spot at Nottingham Forest.
Oscar will almost certainly be without Bruno (groin) and Dale Stephens (ankle) again for Derby’s visit.
Keith Andrews and Matt Upson were among the players also carrying knocks ahead of the Forest game but Albion have regrouped as they attempt to avenge their two narrow defeats against Derby during the regular season.
Oscar told The Argus: “We have a game on Thursday against a team we haven’t beaten in the league and we will be ready to try to beat them.
“We are at home in the first game in front of our fans and I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere. We’ll do our best.
“They (Derby) deserve to be there, they deserved to finish third. “For me they were the third-best team in the league. Their season was fantastic but we will be ready.”
Oscar would rather be away in the first leg, despite Albion’s defeat in the second leg at the Amex against Crystal Palace under Gus Poyet last year.
The Spaniard said: “I know what happened last season but I would always want to have the final game at home.”
Albion are 7-2 outsiders with most bookmakers to win the play-offs. Derby are the 9-4 favourites, QPR and Wigan 5-2.
Original article