United Sting Bees

This was put on the Rage Online website:

They don’t make football grounds like Underhill anymore. What a shame. This tatty, crumbling stadium with its rusty turnstiles and uncovered terraces is a special place to watch football. It has a wonderful retro charm and is a reminder of how football used to be, before the days of executive boxes and plush all-seater stadiums starved of any atmosphere.

The Oxford fans were squeezed together in the covered East Terrace running along the side of the pitch and thanks to the fantastic acoustics in the stand could cause a real racket. The one draw-back of being so tightly packed together was that it was difficult to catch all the action, as one had to stand on tip-toe and peer in between fans when the ball made its way into the corners of the pitch.

Underhill is also a tricky ground for the players to contend with. Reminiscent of the Manor and Portsmouth’s Fratton Park, there is a devious slope that runs down the pitch. This can be a home side’s secret weapon.

Chris Wilder had elected to stick with the side that won convincingly at Dagenham on Tuesday night. New loan signing (how many are there?) Andy Howarth, who arrived from Bury this week, had to settle for a place on the bench. Andrew Whing had recovered from his illness and was also among the substitutes. Thankfully, Wilder had decided to start Damien Batt in place of the more defensive Whing. Lawrie Sanchez had also set his team out in the 4-3-3 formation favoured by Oxford’s boss. The first thing that struck me about Barnet was the size of their centre backs, the Australian Daniel Leach and Cameroonian Clovis (interesting name) Kamdjo. United’s centre forward, James Constable was going to be in for a tough afternoon against that strapping pair.

After easing to victory on Tuesday night, the Bees appeared to have taken the sting out of Oxford early on in this encounter, controlling the majority of the possession. Oxford struggled to impose themselves on the game, resorting to ‘hoof-ball’ instead of their customary pass and move game under Wilder’s watchful eye. Despite Barnet’s superior ball retention though, Oxford had the first real opening. The in-form Alfie Potter tore past Barnet’s left back, Jordan Parkes before fizzing the ball across the Barnet box, only just alluding Constable. Parks rightfully took a healthy amount of stick from the raucous United fans in the East Terrace for a boy band-style floppy quiff he had clearly perfected in front of the mirror.

Twenty minutes into the game, Oxford were handed a lifeline by referee Carl Berry. A Daniel Leach deflected shot tamely dribbled past Ryan Clarke into the United net. However, Berry came to Oxford’s rescue, deciding that the ball had struck a Barnet player on the hand en route. For a League Two official, Berry had a decent match. He was not helped by his hapless linesmen, but still managed to get the most important decisions right. Ten minutes after the disallowed goal, he correctly yellow carded Oxford’s captain Jake Wright after he hauled down Izale McLeod. The home crowd demanded a red, but the towering Michael Duberry was covering in behind Wright meaning that he was not the last man.

After this scare and perhaps undeservedly, the U’s went ahead on 32 minutes. The creative Peter Leven released the nimble-footed Potter down the left who cut the ball back for Simon Heslop. Oxford’s midfielder had ample time to pick his spot and expertly placed his shot past Dean Brill in the Barnet goal. Celebrations are always that bit more wild in a terrace, as a fan has complete freedom to release their ecstatic joy. The Oxford fans danced around the East Terrace hugging each other and screaming in delight at another ‘Hesser’ wonder goal.

Five minutes later, Oxford doubled their advantage and once again, Leven was at the thick of things. His audacious chip into the path of the overlapping Liam Davis was quite superb and the left back finished with aplomb. What followed was utterly bizarre. All the Oxford fans standing at the opposite end of the ground thought that the ball had crashed into the side netting and let out a united groan. However, Davis had wheeled away in delight. Referee Berry had awarded a goal. Finally, the Oxford fans began to celebrate, everyone smiling incredulously at each other at the bizarre circumstances as they gleefully jumped around.

The second half saw the introduction of ex-Oxford youth and first team player, Sam Deering. Sadly, Deering received a negative reaction from the United faithful. Whatever Oxford supporters may think of Deering, he still played a crucial role at Wembley on that fateful day and this should not be forgotten. Clearly, the abuse from the away supporters played on Deering’s mind as he went on to have a wretched second half.

The Bees had the first real opportunity of the second half, Mark Byrne forcing a smart stop from Ryan Clarke, who had a brilliant game in the United net. Brill then matched Clarke in the Barnet goal, blocking a Constable shot with his feet after impressive wing play from Potter. United then brought on new signing, Andy Haworth who was lively and spritely straight away. However, one has to feel a degree of sympathy for Josh Payne, a player with fantastic potential and who after impressing against Dagenham on Tuesday night, must have felt bitterly disappointed at being overlooked by the debutant here.

With fifteen minutes left on the clock, Wilder brought on Whing in place of the tiring Paul McLaren, whose steady influence was again crucial to United’s success here. His last substitution saw Deane Smalley replace Constable and the former Oldham man had a golden opportunity to final open his Oxford account after being played in by Potter. However, with his confidence clearly at a low ebb, he weakly placed his shot straight at Brill.

Barnet’s captain, Mark Hughes, had a late shot that crashed against the post, thankfully denying Oxford a nervy finish. The drama was not over yet though. In the last minute, Jake Wright was rightfully given a second yellow card for a lunge on Deering by Berry. Deering’s playacting as he feigned injury on the floor, made the former Oxford man even more unpopular than ever.

What a week in the capital for Oxford, who now climb to 7th in the table and only three points off Rotherham in second.

Man of the Match: Peter Leven

Debut Goal Sinks Ragged Daggers

This has also been put up on the Rage Online website:

The first thing I would say about Dagenham is that it is deceptively far away. The Dagenham East tube stop lies almost at the very end of the District Line. As a result of this, a large number of Oxford United supporters arrived at the run-down, yet charismatic, Victoria Road bang on quarter to eight. Given the nature of their stadium and the fact that they are located less than five minutes away from one of England's most famous football clubs in West Ham, Dagenham's promotion to League One two years ago was a highly improbable, yet quite remarkable achievement. Let us hope that Oxford can replicate their success this season.

After this performance, the signs are encouraging. United were the superior side for almost the entirety of this encounter, running out worthy winners by a single goal. The result saw Oxford rise to 11th in the league, level on points with bitter rivals Swindon Town and the bookies' favourite for promotion Bristol Rovers. A meagre two points seperates Oxford and third place Port Vale.

Still, it took a while for the game to come to life. The opening fifteen minutes involved players from either side carelessly lumping the ball high into the air - the hoof-ball was not easy on the eye. Peter Leven tried to liven proceedings up by attempting a daring 40-yard strike, but it fell harmlessly into the arms of Dagenham goalkeeper Chris Lewington. Five minutes later the Daggers had their first real opening, as Barbadian Jon Nurse nipped in front of Michael Duberry, only for his header to flash past the post. With thirty-five minutes on the clock, United finally created a meaningful opportunity to break the deadlock. Once again Leven was at the heart of the move, sliding in a perfectly weighted ball for 17-year-old Ryan Hall, making his debut on loan from West Ham, who fizzed a threatening ball across the Dagenham box into the path of the onrushing James Constable, only for United's top scorer to hook the ball over. Hall was very encouraging on his debut - he has electric pace and an assured first touch. He is certainly a step up from the hugely disappointing Lewis Guy. Wilder had also finally elected to start Damien Batt in place of the hapless Andrew Whing, which offered United another attacking outlet down the right flank. Aside from this, Oxford were unchanged from the Burton game. It was a strong team and one that Wilder should stick to.

With five minutes until to break, Hall (Ryan, not Asa) put United in front. A pre-rehearsed free kick saw Paul MacLaren (who was superb) slide the ball across the box for Hall to nip in front of his man and hammer the ball home. A well-taken goal - the sort of calm finish that Oxford have been craving in previous weeks.

The second half saw the Oxford faithful come to life, belting out the Sloop John B tune and putting real emphasis on the "Dagenham's a shithole...I wanna go home" part of the song. It is true, I would not choose to live in Dagenham. The roar of the 420 Oxford fans behind the goal (making up a sizeable number of the 1920 attendance) seemed to spur United on. McLaren won the ball on the edge of the Dagenham box and fed a delicate path into the path of substitute Josh Payne, who appeared intent on forcing his way into the starting line-up with a fantastic performance - hurtling into tackles while also providing flair and panache. Payne then played Alfie Potter through on goal, who twisted and turned in the box, alluding Lewington before somehow spooning his shot onto the bar and over. Two minutes later the mercurial Potter was through again, but this time Lewington pulled off a brilliant save to deny the wing wizard.

The Oxford faithful feared a repeat of Bradford, Aldershot and Burton, namely an inability to see the game out. This was especially the case after the ineffectual Deane Smalley was brought on in place of Constable, thus leaving the Yellows with little attacking threat. The Daggers offered very little, but Ryan Clarke was still required to pull off an impressive late save to ensure that Oxford went home with all three points. On this showing, Dagenham could be in for a long and difficult season on their return to League Two, but keep an eye out for that trio of Swindon, Oxford and Rovers.

Man of the Match: Ryan Hall

Oxford Reject Rubs It In

For the third time already this season, Oxford United were frustratingly held to a draw at the Kassam Stadium in a match they certainly ought to have won. The home side had cruised into a two-goal lead, only to throw it away during a crazy five minute period. Despite many promising signs and some fantastic football produced by the Yellows, particularly in the first half, the bumper crowd that had come out for the ‘Bridle Bonanza’ were once again left feeling disappointed and deflated at Oxford’s failure to kill the game off.

In the first half, backed by their vociferous home supporters, Oxford battered and bruised their opponents, Burton Albion, but were unable to break the deadlock. Speedy winger Alfie Potter was at the heart of everything for the U’s and it was his cross in the fifteenth minute that presented disappointing loanee Lewis Guy with a golden opportunity to open the scoring. However, the former Newcastle youth forward, playing the last game of his month-long loan spell from Franchise FC, found his shot saved at point blank range from the impressive Brewers keeper, Ross Atkins. One can only hope that Wilder does not chose to extend Guy’s loan spell. The decision to release Jack Midson and Sam Deering in favour of the ineffectual Guy still remains a mystery to me.

Another mystery has been Wilder’s perplexing decision to replace our superb attacking right-back, Damien Batt, with the desperately slow Andrew Whing. Thankfully, Wilder realised his mistake early on in this encounter, ripping off Whing for Batt inside thirty minutes. Batt was straight into the thick of things, clearly intent on making his point and playing his way back into the starting line-up when he was savagely cut down by Aaron Webster after a fantastic run. Specialist set piece taker, Peter Leven, put the resulting free-kick just over the bar. Minutes later, James Constable who has been subject to a bid from League 1 Bournemouth went close with a header. Unfortunately, on a day when chances were aplenty, United’s talisman was having an off-day. One can only hope that Constable’s head has not been turned by the recent transfer speculation.

With the game still all square, Burton midfielder Jacques Maghoma whistled a stinging shot inches past Ryan Clarke’s post, almost giving the visitors an unlikely lead. This warning side meant that the Yellows now appeared more intent than ever on breaking the deadlock and making their pressure tell. Once again, Batt and Potter combined down the right before Potter fizzed a dangerous cross into the Burton box only for defender Andy Corbett to smash against his own post. Lewis Guy then wriggled free of the Burton defence only to slice his shot into the side netting. With half time fast approaching, the U’s were miraculously still level. Thankfully, with almost the last kick of the half, Potter found space on the edge of the box and this time decided to go for goal himself, firing the ball into the far corner of the net. Relief all round.

After a slow start to the second half, a clever Oxford move saw Guy slip the ball through to Leven, who coolly chipped the ball over Atkins in the Burton goal. Now two-nil up and in a position of complete dominance against average opponents, what could possibly go wrong? Surely this was a comfortable three points in the bag? Not so. Immediately after doubling their lead, United were pegged back courtesy of a highly dubious penalty decision. A clumsy coming together between Liam Davis and Maghoma saw the Oxford defender win the ball, only for referee Woolmer to point at the spot. In classic Oxford fashion, an ex player Justin Richards calmly stepped up to arrogantly place the ball to Clarke’s right before grinning and dancing in front of the Oxford Mail stand. This unexpected goal suddenly breathed life into Albion and five minutes later, disaster struck for Oxford. A harmless Burton corner was completely missed by Jake Wright and found its way to who else but Richards to scramble the ball home for his second and Burton’s equaliser. The grinning and the dancing had started again. The ex-Oxford player then had a glorious chance for his hat-trick but somehow blazed his shot over the bar. Oxford had fallen apart, their confidence and composure sapped thanks to Richards’ right foot. The Burton Albion centre forward had another opportunity for his hat-trick, yet this time Oxford had Ryan Clarke to thank for preventing yet more grinning and dancing.

With the game drawing to a conclusion and the hosts clearly delighted with their point, Oxford rallied themselves for one last effort. A whipping Davis cross presented Constable with the chance to dramatically win the game for United, but instead Oxford’s centre-forward headed the ball into the car park behind the goal. As such, the U’s were forced to settle for a point. Two more points dropped. The story of the season so far…

Man of the Match: Alfie Potter

Lethargic U’s Slip Up Again

I was not able to make Saturday’s home match against Aldershot as I was sunning myself in Italy. However, reports from my Dad and younger brother were disappointingly negative. Having enjoyed such a fantastic win over arch-rivals Swindon Town the previous week, I had hoped that we would pick apart Aldershot Town on Saturday. It was thus very depressing to learn that we had once again drawn 1-1 at home in a match that we ought to have won.

The Shots had been reduced to ten men after ten minutes. Fifteen minutes later, United had gone ahead. Aldershot were apparently a very questionable footballing outfit and looked jaded following their Carling Cup heroics at Upton Park earlier in the week. We should have stepped on the gas and finished them off, but Oxford did not attack with any real purpose; the football was pedestrian and deeply frustrating for the United fans to endure.

Instead of taking the game to their weakened opponents, Oxford sat back and retreated into their shell, in the hope of holding on to their slight advantage. The negative tactics did not succeed and sure enough the Shots drew level through Luke Guttridge.

Wilder’s team selection also raised a few eyebrows. No Potter. No Batt. Instead, the lightweight and ineffectual Lewis Guy and half-fit, has-been Andrew Whing were handed starting places. Potter and Batt were both later introduced, but far too late to have any real impact on the game. In Batt’s case, his confidence has been clearly shattered. An exciting full-back with real attacking purpose, selected for the League 2 team of the year after the last campaign, one can only hope that Wilder reinstates him and that he quickly regains his form. Moreover, there is no evidence yet to suggest that any of the new signings, with the exception of Michael Duberry, are any better than their replacements. Deane Smalley or Sam Deering? Lewis Guy or Jack Midson? Deering and Midson please.

One supporter summed up the feeling amongst United supporters with this post on the Rage Online forum:

Note to Chris Wilder:

Dear Chris.

Please take the handcuffs off this team.

Yours

A concerned Oxford United fan.

Swine Downed by Oxford's Jumping Bean

This was put on the Rage Online website, but here it is:

Nine years we have waited. Ever since journeyman Jefferson Louis bundled home Scott McGiven’s long-throw, back in December 2002, all supporters of Oxford United have been desperate to lock horns once more with their arch-rivals, Swindon Town. The wait has been long and painful. For exactly a decade, Oxford have languished in leagues below the Robins. While United played host to Droylsden and Barrow, Town entertained the likes of Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday. In one dramatic season, however, everything changed. Oxford tasted success at Wembley in the 2010 Conference play-off final, while days later, in the League One play-off final, Swindon suffered an agonising defeat. Swindon never recovered from this loss. With crucial players departing and a change of manager proving ineffectual, they slipped into League 2 the following season. This meant the first league meeting between these two bitter rivals since the 10th of March 2001.

At 11.00am Oxford station was a sea of yellow. The chanting had already begun as 900 boarded the special ‘football train’ to enemy terrain. There was a real sense of excitement and a buzz of anticipation. Derby day was back. Forget Wycombe, Cheltenham or Northampton. This was the big one.

Once in Swindon, the Oxford faithful were shepherded out of the station by a mass of efficient police. The escorted walk was boisterous, with the United fans in fine voice. Soon the stadium was in sight and the noise levels increased, Oxford United were back at the County Ground.

Swindon's home is a classic old-school English football stadium with retro turnstiles and, quite frankly, disgusting toilets which reeked unpleasantly of urine. There is one uncovered stand behind the goal, the Stratton Bank. This was where the two and a half thousand Oxford United fans had gathered, with a smattering seated in the Arkell’s Stand.

With ten minutes to go before kick-off, the County Ground was a cauldron of noise with both sets of rival supporters bellowing songs at one another. Assistant manager Micky Lewis was out on the pitch urging on the Oxford fans, punching his fist in the air. Amid the din, the two teams emerged from the tunnel to a cry of ‘yellows, yellows, yellows’ from the away supporters. Experienced veteran Michael Duberry went round patting his team-mates encouragingly on the back. Finally, referee Mark Haywood got the game underway.

The first few minutes were unsurprisingly cagey with players from both sides looking nervous. Oxford had the first clear sight on goal with a cross intended for James Constable following a mazy run from wing-wizard Alfie Potter.

Minutes later, Oxford gloriously went ahead. A whipped corner from the effortlessly talented Peter Leven was met by Constable at the near post, who powered his header home. United’s talisman wheeled away and kissed the Oxford badge, to dispel any rumours, cheekily started this week by Swindon boss Mr. Di Canio, that Constable was a Swindon fan. The away end went absolutely potty.

Once ahead, Oxford went into their shell and spent the next ten minutes absorbing constant Swindon pressure. Leon Clarke flashed a fizzing left-foot shot inches wide of his namesake’s goal. The on-loan striker was then presented with another opportunity to put Swindon level, but sent a header wide of the goal. That ought to have been Oxford’s wake up call. As it was, only eight minutes after Constable’s opener, Swindon were level. Alfie Potter was dispossessed near the corner flag by the impressive Callum Kennedy who swung in an inviting ball for Matt Ritchie to head into Ryan Clarke’s net. This led to the eccentric and passionate Paolo Di Canio celebrating wildly down the touchline, waving his arms at the Swindon fans, while Town’s galumphing centre-back, Aden Flint, ran straight to the Oxford fans punching his fist in the air. The derby game had come to life.

Swindon were now well on top and the skilful Raffaele De Vita (clearly a Di Canio import) nearly wriggled himself free of the United defence to put the home side ahead. Swindon then had a golden opportunity to send Di Canio on a repeat of his crazy celebrations. Another dangerous Callum Kennedy cross was met by Flint, whose volley was remarkably saved at point-blank range by Ryan Clarke. Swindon ought to have gone in ahead at the break, but in a dramatic finale to the half it was the U’s who took the lead.

In a carbon copy of the first goal, a Leven cross, from a free kick, was helped home by Constable. As with the first goal, the celebration was manic at the Oxford end.

A pulsating first half ended in true derby fashion with a scuffle involving almost every player on the pitch, before Mr. Haywood clearly thought that enough was enough and blew for half time.

If the first half was exciting and dramatic, the second half was nervy and tense. Once more, Di Canio was in the thick of things. Ten minutes into the second half, an offside decision enraged the outspoken Italian so much that Mr. Haywood sent him to the stands. If Di Canio was angry before then Leon Clarke’s failure to find the net from only ten yards out would have left him utterly incensed. Oxford were still struggling to take the game to Swindon, despite hauling off the disappointing Lewis Guy and below par Simon Heslop for Deane Smalley and Asa Hall respectively. Andrew Whing, strangely keeping the excellent Damien Batt amongst the substitutes, was also having a torrid time at right-back. The introduction of Swindon’s Spanish winger, Lander Gabilondo, was causing the well-travelled defender all sorts of trouble. Gabilondo was unlucky not to score after having a rasping shot expertly saved by the ever reliable Clarke in goal.

With ten minutes to go United were still in the lead. The tension in the away end had now been replaced by thunderous chants, with the fans desperate to see Oxford over the finishing line. A mighty Duberry header was chased down by the hungry Constable who bore down on the Swindon goal and almost sealed the tie, but was denied his hat-trick by the left hand of Swindon keeper, Phil Smith. We were in to stoppage time. Swindon lofted countless balls into Oxford’s penalty box, but United defended resolutely. In the last minute of stoppage time Gabilondo flashed one last shot that whizzed past the right post. It was not to be Swindon’s day. The glory was to be Oxford’s.

Mr. Haywood, who had had a poor game, blew for full time and the Oxford fans let out a deafening cry. A decade of agony, playing second fiddle to their rivals from down the road, had at last been quashed, thanks to a brilliant brace from our very own 'Swindon Town fan.'

Whittingham Strike Snatches Victory for Plucky Cardiff

If Oxford United’s first competitive match back at the Kassam is even to go by, we are certainly in for an exciting season. Playing host to Cardiff City of the Championship in the 1st round of the Carling Cup, the Yellows created the better chances and played some magnificent football. However, Cardiff’s superior predatory instincts, a touch of class from Peter Whittingham and a defensive mix-up ultimately saw the Bluebirds run out 3-1 victors after extra time.

The first half was a cagey, scrappy affair and both Cardiff’s opener and Oxford’s equaliser came courtesy of fortunate deflections. Cardiff’s goal was brought about through a combination of weak defending from new left-back Liam Davis (who I lambasted as a player when he was at Northampton) and the strength of Jon Parkin. The burly northerner barged his way past Davis into the United penalty box before rifling a shot across the box that Craig Conway managed to scoop into Oxford’s goal.

Twenty minutes later, Oxford repeated the trick. Out of favour Simon Clist slid the ball through to another new Summer signing, Jon-Paul Pittman who dribbled his shot straight at the keeper. Thankfully, the ball cannoned out straight to Clist who stroked the ball into the empty net, via a healthy deflection from a Cardiff defender.

After the break, Oxford took the game to their Championship opponents (who I must point out were missing eight players on international duty) and created a host of golden opportunities that ought to have sealed the tie. The first fell to Pitman. An enticing James Constable cross landed on his favoured left foot, only for the American to lose his footing and thus the chance. On first showing, Pitman reminds me of a poor Djibril Cisse – lighting quick, but incredibly raw and indecisive in front of goal. I hope he proves me wrong. Moments later, Beano was on the rampage again, tussling with the stocky Cardiff centre-back, Gabor Gyepes, before being clearly pulled down inside the penalty area. Penalty. Surely. To the disbelief of the Oxford fans though, ex-Premiership official Andy D’Urso waved play-on (quite how this frankly clueless referee ever made it onto the biggest stage is beyond me). Amid the melee, the home side continued to press their startled opponents and the industrious Asa Hall flashed a screaming right foot drive inches past the post.

Our golden-oldie and quickly established fans’ favourite, no-nonsense centre-half Michael Duberry even got in on the action, powering a firm header just over the bar after a sublime clipped ball from Peter Leven. Leven is clearly a very talented silky, skilful footballer whose invention in the midfield could prove enormously significant to the U’s chances of success this season. His through ball to fellow ex-Milton Keynes team-mate Lewis Guy in the last minute of normal time, who failed to lift his lob over the Cardiff keeper, was an early indication of the Scot’s ability.

That chance should have won Oxford the tie, but the away side could also have been ahead. With ten minutes left on the clock, a thumping Gyepes header was saved at point-blank range from Ryan Clarke, before falling kindly at the feet of Ibrahim Farah, who somehow missed the target.

After Guy failed to send Oxford into the 2nd round, the game moved into extra time. It was now Cardiff’s turn to take control of the match. Oxford appeared both exhausted and deflated at their inability to take their chances. Mid-way through the first half of extra time, the classy Peter Whittingham was given acres of room outside the box and fizzed a trademark left-foot shot past Ryan Clarke. You could sense among the players and in the crowd that this was game over.

Oxford tried to rally themselves and had one last opportunity to regain a foothold in the tie through the tireless Constable, yet it was just not to be. A calamitous mistake mix-up at the back between Jake Wright and Ryan Clarke, allowed Nathaniel Jarvis to pop home an undeserved third for the visitors. A sour ending to a thrilling first spectacle of the new season at the Kassam.

Oxford have plenty of positives to take from the game, yet similarly need to address a number of flaws ahead of Saturday’s match at home to Bradford, namely a lack of concentration in defence and indecision in the final third.

But it was wonderful to be back.

Man of the Match: Liam Davis (seems like my assessment of him at the Northampton game was overly harsh…)

Exclusive Interview with Damien Batt

Firstly, how do you think pre-seasons been going?
It was obviously a good win over Birmingham City the other night.

Yeah, pre-seasons been going really well. It was a great win over Birmingham and it’s good to get into that winning mentality early in the season. We also had a tour to America which went really well as we won two games and drew one.

Were the opposition in America any good?

Yeah, they were better than I thought they were going to be actually. They popped the ball around nicely and so it was definitely competitive.

What does your pre-season training actually comprise? The days of running endlessly round a field are long gone I take it?

Yes, pre-season is much more broken down into separate tests – such as endurance and sprinting. We have individual tests at the beginning of the season to see where everyone’s fitness levels are at and then we’ve done a lot of individual running. Those who are slightly fitter have gone into certain groups, while those who are not at the top end have gone into another group. Also, people’s strengths and weaknesses are identified early on so that those who need to work on their sprinting have had to do more sprinting, for instance.

What do you make of the new signings?

They look really good, yeah. Each one of the new signings has definitely brought something to the squad and they have acquitted themselves very well in pre-season.

Are you at all concerned about Andrew Whing taking your place at right-back?

Look, it’s football, I’ve had to deal with it all my career. I don’t see it as a problem – we needed another right-back anyway.

What are your impressions of Peter Leven – as the League 1 sports writers’ player of the year last year it looks like Oxford have pulled off a bit of a coup there?

He looks like a really good player, but to be honest, each one of the signings offers something different which is exactly what we needed.

Are you disappointed about the departure of any players in particular like Jack Midson or Sam Deering?

The gaffer’s made his decision and he’s done it for a reason, which is for the benefit of the team. He’s looking to progress the team and wants the team to do as well as it can.

And how well do you think it can do?

We have certain goals that we’re looking to fulfil and we’re looking to build on last year’s campaign and do the best we can.

Summer Signings

As promised, this blog will detail signings made the U's thus far this Summer.

i) Andrew Whing (free transfer from Leyton Orient)

Whing was bought in on a free transfer from League 1 Leyton Orient after his contract expired in May. Prior to the O's, he played for Brighton where he won the player's player of the year in 2008 with an overwhelming 77% of the vote. This statistic alone is very encouraging. My only slight concern is over where exactly he will fit into the United set-up, as he is a right-back. Given that Damien Batt was selected for the League 2 team of the year in that same position last season, it seems unlikely that he will push Batt out of the team. Unless Wilder has plans to play him in an alternative position, a season warming the bench beckons for Whing.

Please don't be the next...Jude Stirling

ii) Tony Capaldi (free transfer from Morecambe)

Welshman Capaldi joined Oxford from fellow League 2 side Morecambe. Having played over a hundred games for Plymouth and after representing Cardiff City in the 2008 FA Cup Final, his career took a downward spiral when he joined Morecambe at the beginning of last season. Shortly after joining the Shrimps, he indicated his desire to move on tweeting at how 'rubbish' the team was and slating their backward training methods. If Wilder can get Capaldi to re-create his form of old, this could prove to be an inspired signing, especially as left-back was a problem position for Oxford last season.

Please don't be the next...Kevin Sandwith

iii) Ryan James (from Nike Academy)

Wilder has taken a punt by bringing in unproven centre-back Ryan James from the Nike Academy, a set-up that helps young players join professional clubs. James previously played for the QPR and Millwall academies, primarily as a left-winger, before signing for Grays Athletic in the Blue Square Bet Premier. Since then, James has spent two years at the Nike Academy where he has been converted into a centre-half. Could prove to be a sensational gamble by Wilder.

Please don't be the next...Leo Roget

iv) Jon-Paul Pittman (from Wycombe)

The nippy American forward was released by Wycombe at the end of the season and Oxford acted quickly to secure his signature. Pittman scored against the Yellows in the entertaining score draw with our local rivals at the Kassam last season. Pittman has explosive pace, but his scoring record is worrying. He only managed a pitiful 14 goals in 77 Wycombe outings. However, he will certainly provide Wilder with a spark from the bench next season.

Please don't be the next...Christophe Remy

v) Deane Smalley (from Oldham)

Arguably the pick of Oxford's Summer signings thus far, Smalley was an instrumental figure behind Chesterfield's title winning success in League 2 last year, bagging 12 goals in 28 apparences. He rejected a contract extension with League 1 club Oldham to sign for United, which highlights his desire to join the club. Similarly to Pittman, his scoring record (prior to Chesterfield) is a major cause for concern, as he only managed 10 goals in 105 apparences for the Latics.

Please don't be the next...Marvin Robinson

vi) Michael Duberry (from St. Johnstone)

The most high profile of our Summer captures, Duberry spent six successful years at Chelsea, including an appearance at the Manor Ground in the FA Cup 4th round in 1999, before joining Leeds United for £4.5 million. His time at Elland Road was frustrating though, as his first team outings were limited due to the emergence of the Woodgate-Ferdinand pairing. Since then, he has represented Stoke, Reading, Wycombe and most recently, St. Johnstone in Scotland. Duberry will provide an experienced head off the pitch, but could simply view this as an opportunity to wind-down a career spanning nearly twenty years.

Please don't be the next...Rufus Brevett

Regret, But Still Optimistic

As I watched last night's pulsating League 1 play-off semi final between Bournemouth and Huddersfield, I couldn't help but still feel bitterly disappointed that Oxford United had not managed to break into the League 2 play-offs.

Following that fantastic match against local rivals Wycombe Wanderers (who since won automatic promotion to League 1), our season grinded to an unevenful end picking up five points from our remaining five fixtures. In truth, the courageous comeback that Wycombe staged that afternoon knocked the stuffing out of the Oxford players. After a draining and emotional return back to the Football League, we eventually settled for a respectable mid-table position. With the talented and enthusiastic squad that we possessed, this was slighty disappointing, but I have no doubt that we will come back stronger next season.

Like every yellows fan, I cannot wait for next season's local derby against Swindon. We have been deprived of this fixture for ten years now; it is time to lock horns again. I pray that this game is not scheldued for any time in August. It would not go down well with my girlfriend if I had to leave our planned holiday to Italy early for the terraces at Swindon. I was also delighted that Bristol Rovers were relegated as the Memorial Stadium is a convenient five minute walk from my student flat.

On a final note, I was desperately sorry to see that Jack Midson had been released from the club. Midson was an integral member of our promotion winning side and was a wholly committed player, who you could always rely on to give his all. Jack, if you ever read this (as I'm aware you've read this blog a couple of times), best of luck with your career. You can be sure that you will always receive a warm reception from the Oxford faithful.

I'll update the blog over the summer with transfer news and next season's much anticipated fixture list.

Ignore My Optimism

Firstly, forget everything I said yesterday.

This afternoon’s match against Wycombe Wanderers summed up Oxford United’s season. For the majority of the game Oxford were terrific and outplayed their opposition, storming into a two goal lead. The Oxford Mail was rocking under the April sunshine, while the Wycombe promotion party had gone deathly silent.

Then, seemingly out of nowhere, disaster struck. Having got ourselves into this comfortable lead, we then proceeded to throw it away in a shambolic manner. In the space of four minutes, Wycombe had drawn level. Once more, Oxford United had shot themselves in the foot. This unfortunately means that we will ultimately fall short in our quest for that hotly contested play-off spot (especially as results went against us today).

A failure to close out games, inconsistency and lapses of concentration in defence are the three chief reasons why Oxford United will be playing League 2 football once again next year. In short, they only have themselves to blame.

Back to the game today; it was a fantastic encounter. As ever, Oxford sought to take the game to their opponents and refreshingly for an away team, Wycombe had a similar mentality. As I explained earlier, Oxford were brilliant in the first half and created a host of chances, Alfie Potter eventually breaking the deadlock with a sublime strike into the top corner. Despite this, the away team would have gone in level at half time level were it not for a stunning double save by the ever-reliable Ryan Clarke.

Oxford began the second half with the same intensity as the first and quickly doubled their lead thanks to an own goal by Wycombe centre-half, Dave Winfield. This strapping centre-back, who endured a torrid afternoon, is another one of those footballers who is highly fortunate to be playing at a professional level.

After this goal, though, Oxford United froze. Perhaps the players thought they had done enough to guarantee the three points. Either way, the next twenty minutes was an absolute horror show. First, an unmarked Scott Rendell headed in a cross from substitute Jon-Paul Pitman to pull one back for the visitors. Then, four minutes later Pitman turned provider to goalscorer, as he was given time in the box to volley a shot home. A hammer blow to Oxford United’s season, but a crucial one to Wycombe’s promotion challenge.

Even this could not galvanise the home side and a third goal for the Chairboys seemed imminent. Thankfully, we did not concede again during this passage of endless pressure and with ten minutes remaining on the clock, Oxford finally found their feet again which resulted in an absorbing end to the match. Indeed, Oxford would have won it at the end were it not for a fabulous save from the Wycombe keeper, Nikki Bull from a fizzing Tom Craddock strike.

Still, with Wycombe seemingly destined for League 1 and Swindon almost certainly coming down, at least we might get a proper local derby next year.

Man of the match: Alfie Potter

Keep The Faith

I fear I am in the overwhelming minority of Oxford United fans who still believes that we have a fighting chance of making the play-off places this season. I'll tell you why.

Firstly, we are only six points adrift from that much sought after seventh place and we still have six games remaining. No one expects us to reach the play-offs now and so we have licence to freely express ourselves and play without any fear. The pressure is off our group of young players and this will certainly benefit them.

Secondly, our remaining fixtures may appear daunting, with our next three games pitting us against local rivals Wycombe, followed by tricky tests away at high flying Accrington Stanley and at home to top of the league Chesterfield. However, throughout the season we have raised our game against such opposition and in turn have struggled against the likes of lowly Stockport County and Hereford. Not many sides in the division have turned over Chesterfield at their plush new stadium or done the double over Port Vale. We must take belief from this.

Thirdly, the results in League 2 are almost impossible to predict. Throughout the season, almost every team in the division has had a great run of form but have also suffered from terrible winless streaks. Oxford are now reliant on the teams above them dropping points, but there is every chance that this will happen due to the changeable nature of the league.

Fourthly, I was at Adams Park in August for the away game between Wycombe and Oxford and we outplayed them, particularly in the second half. Our local rivals may be smugly sitting in an automatic place, but we have no reason to fear them tomorrow.

For these reasons, I urge you to keep believing in our chances of reaching the play-offs until they have become a mathematical impossibility.

Tomorrow should be a cracking game and a belting atmosphere. Be there.

Same old Inconsistency...

On Tuesday night at home to Stevenage, Oxford United were well below par and were rightly beaten by their Conference rivals from last season. Graham Westley's side are dogged, well-drilled and expert at snuffing out teams that try and play expansive football, as is the case with Oxford. This also explains how they were able to dump Premiership Newcastle United out of the FA Cup this year. This was also the game where, during the inevitable pitch invasion that followed, one of the Stevenage players was punched square in the face by a fan for treating his girlfriend badly in a previous relationship.

Anyway, this left our play-off hopes in tatters, our manager seething and bemoaning his team's inconsistency yet again and the usual nonsense phone calls that follow a defeat on BBC Radio Oxford. One idiot was calling for Chris Wilder's head, emphatically stating that 'fancy football gets you nowhere in this league.' Bring back Ian Atkins? Give me a break. Wilder took us from the mire, from the depths of despair and is encouraging his side to play the game in the correct fashion. I greatly admire him for this. Personally, I wouldn't swap Wilder for anyone (bar maybe Ian Holloway...)

Still, we desperately needed a result on Saturday. In truth, we need to win almost every avaliable fixture left this season to have any hopes of reaching the play-offs again. Our opposition were Crewe Alexandra, managed by another coach who champions pass and move football, Dario Gradi MBE. I had seen this fixture earlier in the season at Gretsy Road and had been greatly impressed by Gradi's side, who like us were fighting for a play-off place.

Crewe started the game with greater purpose, their two lively forwards, Clayton (diving) Donaldson and Shaun Miller causing problems for our defence straight away. The away team ought to have gone ahead after skipper Dave Artell was left completely unmarked off a corner. It was almost a carbon copy of Crewe's goal in the away game. You would have hoped that United had learnt their lesson about picking up the burly centre-back. Artell is one of the least flashy professional footballers I have ever seen; he is from the Keown/Adams school of hard-knocks. In other words, the sort of player who would never dream of purchasing a pair of coloured boots.

However, this seemed to kick the sluggish home side into gear and for the first time that I can remember this season, Oxford went ahead against the run of play. Our goal came via a deflected shot from re-instated captain, James Constable, who had a terrific game.

Crewe then went on the attack in search of an equaliser and their lanky forward, Donaldson, was sent clear only to be bundled over in the box by Jake Wright. Clear penalty. Apparently not. The referee indicated that the incident had occurred outside the area, despite a visible patch of turf being dug up inside the box. The linesmen (who was even more clueless than the average league 2 one and that's saying something) had not even flagged. He seemed completely oblivious to what had just happened. The Crewe players were righlty incensed, particularly after the resulting set-piece came to nothing. As the players went off for half-time, the away team continued to vent their frustrations in the direction of the officials.

After a lethargic first half showing, Oxford United were much improved in the second half and were in the ascendency for the remainder of the game. With twenty minutes to go, good work from (yet another) loan signing, Ryan Burge, put Constable on goal and the talismanic striker cooly finished for his second of the afternoon.

The perfect afternoon? Not quite. In the last minute of stoppage time, a deflected Crewe shot bobbled past keeper Ryan Clarke to deny United of their first clean sheet at the Kassam since September. Oh, and we still got idiots phoning into Radio Oxford after the game.

Sunday's (yes Sunday) match at home to struggling Burton Albion is a must win game or this season will depressingly drift away.

Man of the match: Simon Heslop

Back on Track at Vale Park

Since I last spoke, Oxford United suffered a cruel last-minute winner away at Stockport County. This amazingly meant that the team propping up the entire football league had done the double over us. The play-offs were beginning to fade from view, the dream of the double promotion, it seemed, had become highly improbable. To make matters worse, we only had ourselves to blame. Our failure to take our chances in the last three matches, against a trio of sides we ought to have beaten looked to have dearly cost us.

Saturday's match away at Vale Park was now very simple. Lose and the play-off dream was over. Draw and the play-off dream was all but over. Win and we could dream again.

Port Vale 1-2 Oxford United. We're dreaming again.

Similarly to that Chesterfield away game, Oxford United hauled themselves back from a goal down to claim a victory of huge importance. This one might be our most important yet.

As we have seen many times before this season, Wilder was not afraid to ring the changes, making seven changes from the Stockport game. The gamble paid off, with re-instated Jack Midson scoring our equaliser following a split shot from a further fresh face in the form of Alfie Potter. Our winner came courtesy of a well-taken shot inside the six-yard box by Harry Worley for his first in Oxford United colours.

I cannot stress how massive these three points are. Not only does it put an end to our stuttering run, it also gives us the momentum we so desperately needed prior to three successive home matches.

This is where the season gets interesting. A win at home to Stevenage tomorow night and we're right back in the race.

Cruel Game, Football

I am thoroughly miserable. The last few days of football have not turned out as I would have wished. First, there was Saturday’s appalling injustice where Oxford United somehow managed to lose at home to Hereford. This was then followed this up by a similarly depressing result for the U’s at Sincil Bank on Tuesday evening, home of little Lincoln City. To cap it all off, the next day, my University team (Bristol) lost in the final minute of a top table clash against our arch-rivals, the University of West of England (or UWE for short). The image of the unpleasant UWE boys running madly round our pitch screaming with delight at our misfortune is unfortunately etched firmly in my memory.

Back to the Lincoln game though, which was quite ridiculous. Our three conceded goals were all utterly calamitous; the first was a deflected shot that hit the post and found its way at the feet of their striker to tap in, the second was a cross that Harry Worley managed to crash into his own net and the third was a shocking sliced clearance by Anthony Tonkin that looped over Ryan Clarke. Yes, you heard it right, two own goals. Tonkin’s could quite could seriously end up on one of those DVD’s that are full of footballing mishaps hosted by an excitable chatterbox such as Ian Wright.

This result has dealt a major blow to Oxford’s promotion push. Unless we start killing teams off, we will not achieve our goal of climbing into League 1. We can begin by hammering bottom of the league Stockport away this Saturday. That would at least help to momentarily erase that painful image from my mind...

Incredible Injustice

This afternoon’s match at the Kassam Stadium was one of the most remarkable I have ever witnessed. Oxford United completely outplayed and outclassed their opponents from Wales, Hereford United, in a show of utter dominance. Amazingly, however, it was the away team who ran out victorious in the ultimate smash and grab.

Buoyed by their comfortable away win over Morecambe last week, Oxford started the brighter of the two teams with dangerous right-back Damian Batt finding much of the ball on the right flank. However, it was Hereford who struck first with their sole attack of the half. A whipped cross by the lanky Harry Pell was expertly guided past Ryan Clarke by Stuart Fleetwood. This momentarily stunned the home side and it took Oxford ten minutes to find their feet again. Once the home side had regained their composure, they battered their Welsh opponents, but were unable to make their pressure count.

It was incredible to watch. Oxford had all the possession, yet could not find a way to break down the steely and determined defence in front of them. After the interval, as Oxford became even more desperate to find the equaliser they so rightly deserved, Hereford resorted to even more extreme negative tactics. For the vast majority of the second half, Hereford had eleven men behind the ball with the sole aim of holding on to their unjust lead. If they won possession of the ball, they simply leathered the ball as far into the Oxford half as possible. At the same time Oxford were still trying to play their pass and move football that has been drilled into them by manager Chris Wilder. Unfortunately, it was the unambitious, negative football that won the day.

Despite this, Oxford must take some responsibility for the numerous chances they squandered, particularly in the second half. The best two opportunities fell to centre-back Harry Worley and substitute Simon Hackney, who both failed to hit the target two yards from goal.

To add insult to injury, as Oxford pushed for the equaliser in stoppage time, Hereford hit them on the counter attack, scoring their second of the afternoon. A scuffed shot bobbled across the six-yard box and was met by striker Fleetwood for his second goal. This capped off a thoroughly frustrating day.

Those Hereford fans went home the happier this afternoon, but they are destined for many miserably depressing afternoons if they continue to adopt such appallingly unambitious tactics. The Oxford fans, on the other hand, ought to feel positive as their team produced another impressive performance that, on another day, would have swept aside such a dour outfit.

There is no doubt that Oxford United are heading in the right direction and thankfully they have a game this Tuesday night away at Lincoln to quickly this game behind them.

I still firmly believe that we’ll be occupying one of those play-off places come May.

Man of the match: Paul McLaren

Crowd Watch:

Today Dad and I found ourselves seated in front of ‘the man with the stick.’ I have spotted this gentleman on a number of away trips with the yellows, such as in the away pub prior to the Crewe match. He is an old fellow, who carries a limp and shuffles along aided by his stick. He is also very loud. He reminds me of one of those irritating toys children receive on Christmas Day that launch into song when they are switched on and which the child continues to play throughout the day against everyone's wishes. Every ten seconds or so this gentleman would bark in his thick Oxfordshire accent (similar to the West Country one, but not quite as strong) ‘come on you fuckers’ or rage at the ‘Sunday league’ referee.

I also spotted a man in the crowd who was wearing a quite hilarious outfit. His bottom half was nothing spectacular (just denim jeans). On his top half, though, he was sporting the Oxford United replica shirt underneath (and this is the best bit), an unbuttoned formal shirt. This is the first time I have ever seen this combination on show and it really was something to behold.

Come on lads, let’s get three points on Tuesday for goodness sake.

United See Off Merry Millers

Oxford United gained a crucial three points to keep their play-off dreams alive on Saturday afternoon against a play-off rival in the shape of Rotherham. Oxford once again produced a display of attractive, free-flowing football that is becoming customary under manager Chris Wilder, who was up against the club he represented 132 times in his playing days.

Oxford's first goal came after eighteen minutes and was a classic example of the impressive football I was alluding to earlier. A series of one-twos eventually found its way to recalled Jack Midson on the touchline, who shrugged off his defender before squaring a perfectly weighted ball for Simon Heslop to smash home. Unfortunately Oxford could not record a successive clean sheet, after our goalless draw at Gillingham last week. Before half time, Rotherham had equalised after a similarly attractive move was delicately clipped over Ryan Clarke by Nicky Law.

After the break, Oxford came out intent on securing the three points they so desperately needed. A fantastic save by wily goalkeeper, Andy Warrington (a man who resembles Fabrizio Ravanelli) denied James Constable after a dangerous cross by loanee Simon Hackney, who impressed on his home debut. Minutes later, though, Oxford were ahead. Steven MacLean was played through on goal with only the grey-haired Warrington to beat, before being pulled back by Callum Kennedy. Kennedy was given his marching orders, while MacLean scrambled home the resulting penalty.

Constable ought to have put the game to bed as he was set clear, but managed to scuff his shot against the post. A nervy last ten minutes followed where Oxford had to withstand some late pressure from the Yorkshire side, but they held on to record their first win in four matches.

A huge result that puts Oxford back in with a play-off shout, and which makes Tuesday night's match away at Stevenage even more vital.

Man of the match: Jake Wright

Shrimpers Do The Double

Unfortunately I could not be at the game this evening. I am a student at Bristol University; this makes travelling to away days rather difficult. Indeed Google Maps depressingly indicated that Bristol to Southend would take me three hours and nine minutes. Needless to say, the train would have taken doubly long. As such, I was forced to watch our game this evening on the ’BBC live updates.’ This was far from ideal, as was the full time result.

Southend United 2-1 Oxford United. Perhaps I should stop being so optimistic about my local club…

Rosy Performance on 'Pink Day'

This week, everyone attending Oxford United was supposed to be dressed in pink. Why? Because the Ox that sits outside our ground was vandalised and sprayed a bright shade of the colour. Instead of the club handing victory to the vandals, they have impressively tried to take something positive out of this unfortunate event by teaming up with breast cancer charities.

Today was therefore supposed to be ‘pink day’ at Oxford United. However, I was sceptical as to whether a very male crowd that rarely break with tradition would embrace the fancy dress. Dad ensured me they would and so I left my customary yellow scarf at home, instead plumbing for a very bright pink one belonging to my Mum.

As I neared the stadium, my suspicions proved to be correct. There was no pink on show (bar one poor man who had gone one step further than Dad or I had dared and had bleached his balding head pink). Dad, who was sporting an unusual pale pink jumper and I looked embarrassingly out of place. As such, I quickly pocketed the feminine scarf and pulled a knowing face at my father, who was fastening up his buttons on his jacket to hide any trace of the ghastly pink V-neck.

Our pre-match entertainment was provided by the Oxford Brookes cheerleading society. Unusually, I thought, for such a society this included one token, chubby lad who looked alarmingly isolated, accompanied as he was by a host of athletic girls in skirts. Still, judging by the wide grin etched on his face, he clearly thought he had hit the jackpot.

The cheerleading was enjoyable to watch, but it was not a patch on Oxford United today. Once again, Oxford were absolutely superb and were greatly unfortunate to only draw against our neighbours from Gloucestershire. I have rarely seen an Oxford United team play with such fluency, flair and panache. After a period of chopping and changing, manager Chris Wilder has found a settled team that appears to be a winning formula. Unfortunately, I could not be at the Shrewsbury game on Tuesday night, but my brother (a notoriously harsh critic) gave the team a glowing report over the telephone.

For such an inspired performance, we started sluggishly. A rare mistake from Vice-captain, Jake Wright, was pounced upon by Cheltenham’s star man, Wesley Thomas, who delicately and agonizingly lobbed the ball over a scrambling Ryan Clarke and Harry Worley. This goal, however, was followed by consistent Oxford pressure for the large majority of the match. Our equaliser came courtesy of Tom Craddock thanks to excellent work down the right-flank by energetic right-back, Damien Batt (a player who could quite easily hold his own in the Championship.)

The second half reminded me of the Bradford game two weeks ago. Oxford were completely in control, carving out numerous chances but could just not find out way past the Cheltenham goalkeeper, Scott Brown, who was wearing a revolting orange jersey. Unlike the Bradford game, though, we were not able to make our dominance known. Still, I did not go away feeling too dispirited by the full-time result, as Cheltenham were in fact rightly awarded a late penalty after a rash challenge by Anthony Tonkin. Thankfully, Ryan Clarke came to the rescue which at least meant that the worst case scenario was avoided.

Our Ox may have been defiled, but nothing will stand in the way of this Oxford United team at the moment. Roll on Southend on Tuesday night…

Man of the match: Damian Batt

Bradford Battered

In an enthralling game at the Kassam Stadium this afternoon, Oxford United ran out 2-1 winners against Bradford City. The score-line flattered the visiting team. It was Oxford’s best performance of the season, as they completely took apart an abysmal Bradford side who resorted to embarrassingly negative tactics under their wily boss, Peter Taylor.

After conceding a soft goal off a corner in the tenth minute, that was eventually scrambled in by Mario Balotelli wannabe, Omar Daley (you know the type: big ego with a certain swagger and nonchalant attitude, equipped with gloves and unnecessarily wearing his socks over his knees), Oxford United were truly terrific. We played with passion, high intensity and great confidence. To Bradford’s meagre two shots on goal, we peppered theirs with eighteen. To their single corner, we whipped in thirteen. Still, with fifteen minutes to go we were somehow still trailing to the woeful former Premiership outfit. Despite this, their supporters were deathly quiet, red-faced perhaps that their outrageously negative tactics were denying a team playing attractive pass and move football. At this point, I had the dreadful feeling that it was going to be on of those awful days when consistent pressure and utter dominance are not enough to win a football match. The final whistle would blow and we would depart dumbfounded at how we had lost to such an inept outfit.

Alas, it was not to be. After virtually everyone in a yellow shirt, including centre-back Harry Worley, had seemingly missed a glaring opportunity, we finally scrambled the ball home on 77 minutes via Steve MacLean. If this was to be MacLean’s last showing for Oxford (his extended loan spell has come to an end) then good luck to him. He has been brilliant for us. Five minutes later, justice was finally done as Tom Craddock managed to bundle home substitute James Constable’s cross. It was amusing how such wonderful football was eventually won through two scrappy goals.

A magnificent showing by the men in yellow. It is fair to say that their mid-season hangover is well and truly behind them. Once again, the Oxford United supporters were outstanding. The resounding reception that the players received at half-time, despite trailing by a goal to nil was a clear reflection of this.

The rest of the league had better take note. We’re ready to take it by storm.

Man of the match: Steve MacLean

Smoke-bombs down in the 'Army Town'

Aldershot is one of the more intimidating away days I have been on. As my mate ‘Chucky’ (who had last accompanied me for the Gillingham game) neared the town, signs began to inform us that this was an ‘army town.’ In other words, we were encouraged to steer well clear. Indeed when we rolled into the forbidden territory, all corners of the Recreation Ground were being patrolled by scores of policemen in aluminous jackets. Unfortunately, Chucky was hungry and so we had to embark on a mission to find a sandwich round the picturesque streets of Aldershot. This took a while as most of the sandwiches were filled with meat that reminded me of my summer in Vietnam. With only portable toilets surrounding the Recreation Ground, they were an unadvisable purchase. Having eventually stumbled upon a very English looking home made pie shop, we met my brother, Eddie, for a quick pint in ‘the Crimea’ before an unusually long and scenic walk to the away end. The Recreation Ground has a certain charm to it. It is an old-school stadium with no posh toilets, no electronic turnstiles and fans standing in the terraces.

Amid a din of noise from both sets of supporters (the Aldershot fans helped by the aid of a drum), the game got underway. Our first goal came early and took everyone by surprise. A Damian Batt cross was met by an Aldershot defender and looped into the goal. From our angle though, it looked as if the defender had diverted the ball into the safety of the side netting. However, the Oxford players had started celebrating. We obviously then went berserk. The remainder of the half was not ‘like watching Brazil’ as the (highly animated) man stood next to me wanted us all to believe. Still, we went in at the break 1-0 up.

The second half made for a more entertaining encounter. With fifteen minutes left on the clock, a seemingly harmless cross was not dealt with by the Oxford defence and was scrambled in via the chest of midfielder Luke Guttridge. It was Aldershot’s turn to delight in our misery. The standard cry of ‘you’re not singing anymore’ went up. There was more drama to come, however. Similarly to our winner at Torquay, a well-worked move found its way to Steve MacLean on the edge of the box who cleverly passed the ball across the box for Tom Craddock to stroke home. The celebration was anything but tame. I managed to lose my shoe, Eddie slightly more worryingly his phone. As we searched the Aldershot terraces for our misplaced items, the same gentleman who thought Oxford United on a par with Brazil set off a smoke-bomb. I don’t think I have been quite so happy jumping around in one shoe, whilst coughing through an unhealthy amount of smoke. Thankfully, the referee soon brought the proceedings to a close leaving us free to find the shoe and phone.

Just another afternoon on the road with Oxford United.

Man of the match: Simon Clist

Diabolical to Delight in 3 days

January 1, 2011: Oxford United 0-2 Southend United. Unfortunately I could not be at the game as I was still feeling the effects of the previous night in Edinburgh. In a way, I was glad as my friend who had not ventured up to Scotland informed me that Oxford's showing on New Year's Day was 'the worst I have seen them play in my lifetime.' Astonishing how a virtually unchanged line-up could collapse so dramatically after a comfortable victory only 4 days earlier. I doubt Southend could have been that good; not only are they below us in the League, they are also managed by Paul Sturrock. The result did bring one piece of good news, however. Following a shambolic showing, the hapless Ben Futcher was rightly sent back to his parent club, Bury. In his place have returned the popular trio of Mark Creighton, Sam Deering and Jack Midson.

January 3, 2011: Torquay United 3-4 Oxford United. I doubt many Oxford fans who travelled down to Torquay only two days later felt particularly optimistic about how the afternoon would pan out. Then again, football is funny old game. Chris Wilder fielded a much-changed starting line-up with only Ryan Clarke, Jake Wright and Simon Clist keeping their places. In an enthralling spectacle Oxford United ran out winners 4-3 in front of 470 ecstatic away fans who scarcely believed that a Bank Holiday Monday could be quite so exciting in Torquay. Oxford twice led by a two goal cushion through a brilliant strike by Tom Craddock and two clinically taken goals by recalled fan favourite Jack Midson only to allow Torquay back into the game by way of sloppy defending. Perhaps Futcher was not so bad after all. Don't worry, I am joking. He was terrible.

After Torquay substitute Billy Kee's deflected shot looped into the goal to make it level you sensed that the home side would deliver the sucker punch to send the Oxford faithful home thoroughly depressed. Instead, as Torquay pushed desperately for the winner, Oxford hit them on the counter-attack and when Alfie Potter found Midson in space on the edge of the box, he expertly guided the ball home to send the travelling contigent into delirium. Quite simply, magnificent.

Who knows what Oxford United will turn up at the Recreation Ground, home of Aldershot, tomorrow.

Bridle Christmas Bonanza

The ‘Bridle Christmas Bonanza’ against Macclesfield Town brought out a bizarre range of pre-match entertainment. I was sat in my customary row V seat in the Oxford Mail stand, yet as a brass band began to play at the top of the South Stand belting out old classics such as ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Old King Wenceslas,’ it did not feel like the prelude to a football match at the Kassam Stadium. As the brass band brought their set to a close, a woman dressed as a Christmas pudding then proceeded to rollerblade round all corners of the stadium waving enthusiastically at the crowd. Unfortunately, it went down like a lead balloon. Football fans are traditionalists; they like beer before the game, a pie at half time and beer after the game. Flying Christmas puddings will not break that routine.

Eventually the skating girl grew tired of waving cheerily at quizzical looking bald men and disappeared down the tunnel. Moments later, in front of a bumper crowd of over 9,000 (Macclesfield Town had generously brought 61) Oxford United took to the pitch. As the game got underway, it seemed that the crowd was suffering from a post-Christmas hangover and it took a wild tackle by the Macclesfield right-back Izak Reid on James Constable to fire the Oxford faithful back into life after a painful 24 day absence. The growing support of the crowd was clearly felt by the Oxford United players on the pitch. Clever link-up play between Constable and Steve MacLean who combined well throughout put Simon Heslop in on goal who, after an ugly first touch managed to sneak the ball home. In truth, Oxford were very comfortable for the remainder of the first half with MacLean at the heart of everything. After watching the Scot struggle at home to Gillingham, I was beginning to see glimpses of the player who had scored 25 goals in one Championship season for Sheffield Wednesday. Macclesfield did not appear to have any players of such calibre; their left-back, exotically named Aristote Nsiala, was even worse than Northampton’s Liam Davis and takes the prize for most inept player I have seen so far this season.

The second half was not as rosy as the first. For a start, the swirling mist was making it increasingly difficult to pick out the players. Indeed, the 61 Macclesfield fans and Oxford supporters at the furthest end of the North Stand had disappeared from view altogether. Furthermore, we had been brought down to Macclesfield’s level which led to the game becoming a physical slog void of any trickery or invention. That was until, with twenty minutes left, Alfie Potter took off on one of his dazzling runs similar to that famous one at Wembley. After covering over half the pitch, he squared the ball for Beano to smash into the roof of the net. Game over, surely.

Not quite. In classic Oxford United fashion the last ten minutes became an unnecessarily tense affair after a long-throw where goalkeeper Ryan Clarke was clearly impeded found its way into the back of the net through former Oxford loanee Reneil ‘Ricky’ Sappleton. Sappleton is another of those players you will only ever see in the football league. To put it politely, the chubby forward had clearly enjoyed one too many mince pies over the festive period. In my ideal word ‘Ricky’ will one day join up with Adebayo Akinfenwa. A 33 stone forward line would make fantastic viewing.

Not a wholly convincing performance from Oxford United, but after that appalling run of five defeats, a third consecutive victory will do nicely and we can feel confident going into Saturday’s game at home to Southend United.

Two precious wins

Two much-needed wins against top of the table Chesterfield and struggling Barnet has seen Oxford thankfully rise up the League 2 table. Despite going behind to high flying Chesterfield, Oxford rallied themselves earning a fantastic and hopefully season changing victory. A similar pattern followed in the home game to Barnet at the Kassam, largely brought about by the introduction of James Constable.

Perhaps that spirit that we saw at the end of last season where we threw away a position of dominance in the Blue Square Premier only to rekindle our form in the play-offs is coming through once more.

With the busy Christmas period coming up that will see the Oxford faithful turn out in their thousands, let's hope that Oxford United have well and truly turned the corner.

Dreadful

On a bitterly cold, gloomy grey November afternoon, Oxford United slumped to their fifth consecutive defeat at home to Gillingham. The 1-0 loss ended the Gills’ 19 agonizing month wait for an away league win (their fans unsurprisingly went berserk). Despite being evidently low on confidence, Gillingham outplayed and outclassed Oxford running out deserved winners.

Oxford are in disarray. The confidence of the players has been shattered by the four recent defeats and manager Chris Wilder’s decision to completely reshape the spine of the team, after this showing, looks highly dubious.

Despite dropping points at the start of the season, Oxford had been extremely unlucky, namely at home to Bury and away at Wycombe. Here we had played fast flowing football in a team that oozed confidence, having won promotion from a notoriously tough league. The spirit and togetherness was clear for all to see.

That confidence has disappeared and worryingly, so too has that promotion winning team spirit. Dannie Bulman was shipped out to Crawley Town on loan; Jack Midson to Southend and in the last week, the popular figure of Mark ‘Beast’ Creighton to Wrexham and tricky local boy Sam Deering to Newport. These were players that toiled hard for the yellow shirt and more importantly, cared greatly for the club. The three players brought in this week by Wilder all looked drastically unfit, uninterested and in the case of the appalling Ben Futcher, incapable. Every single person who left the Kassam this afternoon had the words ‘Futcher’ and ‘awful’ at their lips. Standing at 6 foot 7, one would have hoped he would have won his fair share of headers. Unfortunately not. I now understand why Bury had let this bumbling fool leave. He made 16 stone Adebayo Akinfenwa look unplayable (and at times even quick). The decision to play Steve Maclean in place of the clinical James ‘Beano’ Constable was baffling.

It was bitterly disappointing to watch. Oxford looked clueless, the team spineless and completely lacking any imagination. My friend, who last accompanied me to the Wycombe away game asked in bewilderment where it had all gone wrong. I could not blame him. It was a painful spectacle.

Oxford could not keep the ball and lacked any width. Our own tactic was to hope that Alfie Potter could produce some magic, yet he was a lone ranger. Josh Payne, who arrived at the club full of confidence, has been depressingly dragged down to the level of League 2 midfield dogfighters. Playing next to the hapless loan signing Paul Wootton, he was unable to influence the game. Chris Wilder’s favourite, the infuriating Tom Craddock once again hugged the left touchline barely noticeable in the game.

Gillingham’s goal came through a mistake from our starlet centre back Jake Wright, who had an afternoon to forget. At half time one of my mates, a Gillingham fan in the away end texting me saying, ‘don’t worry, we’re sure to capitulate.’ Yet Gillingham did not.

Oxford United have sunk back to the dark depths that I thought after that joyous day at Wembley we had put behind us. Hold tight folks, this is going to be a long, hard season.

Three More Defeats...

A home loss to Torquay United, followed by away defeats to Burton Albion and Rotherham United have seen Oxford United crash out of the FA Cup 1st Round and slide down League 2. The dream of playing local rivals Swindon has, once again, diminshed. Moreover, Oxford find themselves being sucked towards the dreaded relegation zone.

How has this run of four league defeats come about? In Chris Wilder's eyes at least it is due to the youthful inexperience of the side. He has responded to this by bringing in three vastly experienced football league players on loan: central midfielder Paul Wootton from Southampton, the towering centre-back Ben Futcher from Bury and Steve Maclean from Plymouth. Despite handing starts to all three and restoring the collected, ever-responsible Simon Clist to the starting line-up, we still came unstuck in our last outing at Rotherham. Wilder has effectively ripped apart our promotion winning team, lost patience with his summer signings and has such turned to these wise-headed loan signings as the key to steadying the ship. Time will tell whether this gamble pays off.

With a greater blend of youth and experience, Wilder hopes to have found the tonic to catapult us up the table. Our next home game against Gillingham gives us the perfect opportunity to do so. The Gills have the worst away record in the whole Football League (they have not won away since May 2009) and possess a 16 stone striker in the (rather round) shape of Adebayo Akinfenwa up front.

Bring on Saturday.