Greg Leigh is pleased with his individual performance as well as the team effort that secured Oxford United’s trip to Wembley.
The U’s will meet Bolton Wanderers in the Sky Bet League One play-off final on Saturday at the national stadium.
Leigh sees it as a chance to make it back-to-back promotions from the third division after assisting Ipswich Town to second place in League One the previous year.
The 29-year-old, who cost no money to sign, became a member of United in August and has made 33 appearances for the U’s so far this season.
His six goals come from left back, which include a late winner in a 2-1 victory over Cheltenham Town at home and a brace in a 3-1 triumph at Stevenage.
“I definitely think I’ve added to the team,” Leigh declared. If I had to reflect on my own season, there have been significant personal moments involved in the games that we have won or drawn.
“I think I’ve performed well this season, and I’ve supplemented with a last-minute goal and a handful of winners.
“During training and hanging out with the group, there are things I try to always add, and hopefully the guys find that to be a good influence.”
The group has accomplished a great deal as a unit and has demonstrated a strong will to succeed by doing whatever it takes.
“We’ve worked as a team, and hopefully I’ve contributed more to that.”
Leigh and Joe Bennett are perhaps the closest rivals for the left defender position in the United starting lineup; in the past 20 games, Leigh has been chosen 13 times at left back compared to Bennett’s seven selections.
Bennett, though, appears to be the preferred option right now as he has started the last three games.
“Everyone wants to play at the end of the day,” Leigh remarked, “but you can’t have too many complaints when someone is putting in a performance like that.”
As I watch from the sidelines, I am aware that he gives everything he has, and if I do end up having a cameo, it’s because it’s a team sport and the team needs to win at Wembley.
“It’s not Joe or me; it’s everyone.”
“Everyone in the league this year has been pretty much up and down, bar maybe Portsmouth,” he continued.
“We really need to prepare for this big game on Saturday and give it everything we have.”
“To give it everything we’ve got and see how we fare is the main aim.”
Leigh entered the game with 11 minutes remaining in the semi-final second leg, replacing Owen Dale as the U’s secured their trip to Wembley.
“This is the reason we play the game; these are the kinds of games you dream about playing in your career,” Leigh remarked.
“I had a small part, but the guys did a fantastic job; it really was a team effort.” I’m ecstatic for the boys, the club, and myself in particular.
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