Oxford stage full dress rehearsal ahead of Portsmouth play-off

With the Blues and the U’s set to go into battle on Friday at Fratton Park, followed by the second leg game at the Kassam Stadium next Monday, attention to detail is everything.

And to guarantee everyone knows the exact nature of their role for the big performances required, Karl Robinson’s side staged a full dress rehearsal on home turf on Sunday.

Everything was in place to ensure the anticipated match-day conditions would be replicated – with the weather the only thing apparently not under Oxford’s control.

Indeed, the in-house friendly kicked-off at exactly the same time which the second-leg tie at the Kassam will commence next Monday – at 5pm.

Robinson, apparently, fielded the side which he hopes will start the double-header against Pompey, with their opposition reportedly set up to play like Kenny Jackett’s men.

Meanwhile, the so-called second XI even wore the club’s away kit from last season – which includes blues shirts – to mimic what Pompey should look like.

The game was, of course, played behind closed doors, with no fans permitted to attended either first or second-leg ties – yet another opportunity for the players to experience match-day conditions without supporters present.

However, that didn’t stop Oxford from continuing with PA announcements – again, more attention to detail to ensure the players know exactly what to expect when they face the Blues for a place in the play-off final and a possible spot in the Championship.

Any match-day ball was also disinfected at half-time, once again proving that no stone was left unturned in ensuring everything goes to plan.

Pompey have themselves played several in-house games at Fratton Park in the build-up to Friday’s first game (5.30pm kick-off).

Attention to detail will have been the order of the day there, too, ensuring both teams are ready to go when the curtain raises on their eagerly-anticipated performances.

The stage is now set. There’s little margin for error.