'Boro v Oxford United - Sky Sports presenter chats to oneBoro'

David Jones, the Super Sunday and Monday Night Football host, chats to oneBoro about Oxford United’s trip to Middlesbrough FC in the FA Cup fifth round.

As well as fronting Sky Sports’ Premier League football, Jones is also a non-executive director at Oxford United having joined the board in February 2015. Understandably, the mood in The U’s camp is very good, “the team has been on a great run of late and we’re still challenging on 3 fronts” Jones says.

“We were disappointed to lose our unbeaten run against Southend on Tuesday night because going into that game we had been building real momentum.”

“The FA Cup is a bonus for us, we’re one game away from another trip to Wembley in the Checkatrade Trophy and the play offs are certainly not out of reach.”

When discussing which players Boro should look out for on Saturday afternoon, he says “at full strength I would say watch out for the pace of Marvin Johnson on the left, he’s improved since joining us and we think he’s got another gear to find.”

“Rob Hall is a livewire and can shoot from distance, Chris Maguire is our dead ball specialist and loves the big stage, Toni Martinez has just joined us on loan from West Ham and looks a classy front player. In midfield, two boys who we signed from Everton’s academy, Ryan Ledson and John Lundstram, have developed a really good partnership.”

"Who can guess who Karanka will pick?”

- David Jones

“I’ve been chatting with our back room staff about likely scenarios but we feel whoever plays it’s going to be tough - what we would give to be able to call on Patrick Bamford and Rudy Gestede for example!”

When pushed for a score prediction, Jones was keeping his cards close to his chest, “I wouldn’t be too disappointed if it’s a draw and the TV cameras come along for the replay."

“I thought Boro would be ok [in the Premier League] and they still might, but obviously they need to score more goals and maybe be a bit more positive at home.”