Where Will Chris Wilder Take Oxford United in 2009?

Chris Wilder, named Oxford United manager on December 21st, has a lot of work to do at Oxford in 2009. There’s hope that Oxford can make the play-offs this season, and with the team still in the FA Trophy; there’s a chance that Oxford United can make two trips to Wembley this season.

The FA Trophy, which came into existence in 1969, seven years after Oxford’s promotion to the Football League, was last year won by Blue Square Premier side Ebbsfleet United, and having beaten AFC Sudbury in the first round; Oxford now host York City on January 10th in the second.

Oxford has an excellent home record this season and will be expected to progress through to the third round of the tournament, where they will then begin to eye up a trip to Wembley. The FA Trophy final is still a long way off yet; it would be a huge achievement for Oxford United Football Club if the trophy can be lifted though, and should the side lift the Trophy then it’ll be the first Oxford United cup win since the Milk Cup of 1986.

With the team 12th in the league, trailing the play-off places by 12 points at current; a few wins could easily see the side lifted upwards towards the top five. Chris Wilder has restored the faith at the Kassam Stadium, and after a 5-1 win over Ebbsfleet at the weekend; Oxford United Football Club is now looking forward to a bright (albeit penniless) future.

Chris Wilder reportedly has his eye on several players at current, January signings could perhaps provide the lift required for Oxford United to push for promotion this season, and the club can then once more return to the Football League.

The aim is for Oxford United to be a Football League team for the 2009/10 season; there’s work still to be done, but realistically promotion could well be on the cards for Oxford this year. The season is far from over, and if Oxford can break the play-offs this season then there’s a good chance that the team will achieve promotion.

2009 will hopefully see Oxford United return to the Football League, and if Chris Wilder can take the team to Wembley twice this season then that really will be incredibly impressive. I’m under no illusions; I know that it’s a big ask of Chris Wilder to get Oxford promoted this year, I believe in his ability to do it though, and now look forward to tomorrow’s home game against Salisbury City.

Oxford travel to Eastbourne on Saturday; two wins this week for Oxford and we’ll be well on the way to the top.

United’s Youngsters Beaten by Milton

A young Oxford United team yesterday travelled away to Milton United for a friendly. United lost the game 3-2, the two goals scored for Oxford by Alex Fisher and Chris Fower. Three times Milton United took the lead, and the third time Oxford were unable to equalise.

It’s certainly not a bad result considering the average age of the team; there are a lot of talented youngsters at Oxford United at current, and Sam Deering’s rise into the first team this season provides proof as to the strength of the Oxford United youth set-up right now. In recent years several youth players have been brought into the first team and failed to shine; James Clarke broke into the first team successfully last season though and Sam Deering is this season showing that he too can cut it at Blue Square Premier League level.

There are several players that were involved in this game against Milton that could easily break into the Oxford United first team in the next few seasons. They’re still developing, but there’s some fantastic raw talent in Oxford United’s youth system, and some real potential OUFC stars for the future.

The game may have been lost, but the experience will serve the players well, and friendly games such as these can be very helpful for grooming young talent and preparing Oxford’s youngsters for life in the first team.

New Oxford Manager Soon to be Confirmed?

Speaking with Oufc.co.uk, Oxford United Chairman Kelvin Thomas has stated that “We have now gone through all of the applications and have whittled that down to six or seven people that we would like to talk to”, so it would now seem that a decision is close to being reached and that Oxford United will soon have a new manager.

Jim Smith has done an excellent job since he’s been back; he’s won two, drawn one, and all three games have been played away from home. Oxford had won only two away games all season prior to Smith’s temporary appointment and he’s therefore done a magnificent job to double our away record in the space of three games, managing as many wins in three as what Darren Patterson took thirteen to achieve.

Despite Jim Smith’s magnificent return so far though; I certainly wouldn’t want him to take on the role on a permanent basis. It didn’t work out too well last time, and I don’t think it’d turn out particularly sweetly this time either. That’s not something to really dwell on though as he doesn't actually want the job so a new manager will therefore be brought into the club soon, and I can’t wait to see who gets chosen for the challenge.

Unless Oxford United are up near the top then a lot of fans will see the team as underachieving; the fact of the matter though is that the Blue Square Premier is quite a difficult league, and it’s not actually that easy to place near the top. I’m not so sure it’s a case of underachieving, more a matter of the club not having the money to bring in players of a high enough calibre. Loan players are all well and good, but only if they’re willing to really give it their all for the club, which hasn’t always proven to the be the case this season. Let’s face it; life is always going to be tough when your stadium’s owned by a failed former chairman and you’re charged astronomical amounts to play their each season.

Let’s hope someone decent is picked to become the next manager of Oxford United, and that someone is chosen who can really get the best out of the players we have at the club at current, perhaps bringing in a few pivotal players in January also. Jamie Guy is once more beginning to show some of his pre-season form, and if the new Oxford manager can continue to get the best out of Guy and Constable then Oxford United may yet achieve greatness this season, in the league, or even in the FA Trophy.

The FA Trophy Second Round Draw

The FA Trophy Second Round Draw was made today, and Oxford United will play either Northwich Victoria or York City at home. If holders Ebbsfleet United defeat Bognor Regis Town tomorrow then they will face a home tie against either Stourbridge or Stalybridge Celtic in the second round.

The following is the full draw for the FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round:

Lewes v Havant & Waterlooville/Bury Town
Ilkeston Town/Ossett Town v Kidderminster Harriers/Burscough
Burton Albion/Farsley Celtic v Woking/Salisbury City
Basingstoke Town/Brackley Town v Wrexham
Hednesford Town/Nantwich Town v Welling United/Weymouth
Forest Green Rovers v Alfreton Town/Redditch United
Bashley/Tiverton Town v Kettering Town
Durham City v Southport
AFC Telford United v Hayes & Yeading United/Grays Athletic
Farnborough/Wingate & Finchley v Stevenage Borough
Torquay United v Newport County/Rushden & Diamonds
Bognor Regis Town/Ebbsfleet United v Stourbridge/Stalybridge Celtic
Barrow v Workington
Uxbridge v Swindon Supermarine/Eastbourne Borough
Oxford United v Northwich Victoria/York City
Cambridge United v Chesham United/Crawley Town

These second round games will be played on January 10th, and with first round fixtures being played tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday; specific second round ties are soon to be confirmed.

Oxford United has an excellent home record this season, and it’s therefore excellent news that Oxford will play their second round game at the Kassam. The opposition could potentially have been easier, then again though; playing a fellow Blue Square Premier side has its advantages in that at least we know what to expect, and won’t have to overcome the problem of a lesser team upping their game against us.

Whoever we face; this is a game that I really expect us to win. We’re in good form at current, could definitely do with the prize money for reaching the third round, and every game we win in the FA Trophy takes us one step closer to Wembley. 1986 was the last time Oxford went to Wembley; winning the Milk Cup with a 3-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers. It’d be lovely to see Oxford United return to Wembley and once more win silverware, it’s a long way off yet but I remain hopeful that we can do something this season and attain great glory in winning the FA Trophy.

Here’s to Oxford United Football Club, and here’s to defeating Northwich Victoria or York City in the second round of the FA Trophy.

Looking Forward to the FA Trophy Second Round Draw

The Second Round draw for the FA Carlsberg Trophy will be held tomorrow, and the fixtures are to be announced at 1pm. After beating Sudbury on Saturday, Oxford United will therefore be in the draw and could potentially face Swindon should they defeat Eastbourne Borough at home on Wednesday (Swindon Supermarine that is).

Swindon Supermarine would surely be the best fixture that Oxford could possibly face; it’s admittedly not quite Swindon Town, but it’s close enough anyway, so fingers cross for tomorrow and then for the game on Wednesday also.

To be honest I don’t mind too much who we play; as long as we win then that’s all that really matters; it’d be £5,000 much needed in the bank for Oxford, money which would contribute nicely to the club’s survival.

So here’s to Oxford United; future winners of the FA Trophy 2009 (I live in hope).

Oxford Draw With 10-Man Weymouth

Oxford United have drawn 2-2 with 10-man Weymouth this evening, unable to overcome the team that was reduced to 10 men after just 11 minutes when Santos Gaia was shown a straight red card.

Stuart Beavon put the home side ahead after 39 minutes, the lead was short lived though as Matt Day scored a sensational equaliser for Oxford just three minutes later. Early into the second half and Beavon once more put Weymouth ahead, and the score remained at 2-1 to Weymouth until late on in the game.

In the 82nd minute an Adam Bygrave own-goal brought Oxford right back into the match though and the score was once more levelled. Oxford had outplayed Weymouth for much of the first half; the team was not so great in the second however, and did well to grind out the draw. Oxford played right to the end, and the team were rewarded for their determination with a vital league point.

Oxford’s away record has been poor this season; only two away games have been won so far in the league, this was a good draw though, and against a team that earlier in the season won at the Kassam. A win would have been better, but a draw is nothing to shrug off as Oxford have now taken 4 points from their last 2 away games. With home form so strong; if Oxford can keep on getting results away from home then a play-off position could be achieved for Oxford United come the end of the season.

There’s still a long way to go yet, Oxford remain in 13th place after this one though, and there’s only 9 points separating Oxford from 5th place Crawley Town. Oxford will travel to Crawley on January 24th, and before then have a number of games to play against teams from the bottom half of the table. By the time Oxford play Crawley in January they could be well on their way up the Blue Square Premier League; watch out play-off places, we’re coming right for you.

Tuesday’s Trip to Weymouth

On Tuesday we travel to Weymouth for another exciting league game in the Blue Square Premier. Fresh from our 3-1 Setanta win against Mansfield; perhaps we can now turn our away record around, which up until Thursday quite frankly had been terrible.

With only one away win in the league before the Mansfield game; things weren’t looking at all good for us. Our home form has been excellent, away though we’ve been absolutely dreadful, and the only away win we’d managed in the league all season was against struggling Northwich. We won away against Blue Square South side Dorchester Town in the FA Cup, even that took extra time to happen however, and despite ultimately winning 3-1; it was hardly a glorious display of football against the team from the league below.

Oxford United currently sits 13th in the league; 10 points off the play-offs, and 9 points above the relegation zone. With a game in hand that could see us move within 7 points of the play-off places however; an away win on Tuesday is absolutely crucial if we’re to make a serious go at making the play-offs this season.

Jim Smith’s yellow and blue army will really need to attack the game with all their might this coming Tuesday; it doesn’t need to be pretty, as long as we pick up all three points though then that’s all that really matters.

Who Will Be the Next Oxford Manager?

So Jim Smith has taken temporary charge of the club and the next official Oxford United manager is yet to be announced. Who would you like to see become the next Oxford Manager?

Personally, I’d like to see Andy Hessenthaler come into the club as manager. He’s at Dover Athletic right now and is doing an absolutely brilliant job there as player-manager. Hessenthaler previously managed Gillingham between 2000 and 2004, keeping the team in the second tier of English football with incredibly limited resources. I feel that he could do an excellent job at Oxford and could be just the man the club is after.

Oxford United is in its third successive season in the Blue Square Premier League right now, something needs to be done to restore the clubs league status, and with the club currently sitting 16th in the league; there’s a lot of work to be done if Oxford United is indeed to make a return to the football league.

I doubt Hessenthaler will leave his job at Dover to come manage struggling Oxford; I’d love to see it happen, but I just don’t feel that Oxford will be able to tempt him away. John Ward’s 3-1 favourite according to Victor Chandler, we shall see though; he’s also applied for the Swindon Town position this month, and if his application is not successful, does Oxford United Football Club really want the stigma of taking on a Swindon reject?

Oxford United Through to the First Round of the FA Cup

Oxford United has beaten Hayes and Yeading and is now through to the first round of the FA Cup. The draw was made on October 26th and fresh from hosting Hayes; Dorchester will now be the team travelling to Oxfordshire for a game which will be played on November 8th.

Once again Oxford will face Blue Square South opposition; this time however, the Blue Square South opponents are of a much lower quality. Whereas Hayes is a high flying Blue Square South side, Dorchester is a team that currently sits 19th in the league, a massive 14 points below Hayes and Yeading United; a team Oxford comfortably defeated 2-0.

Last time Oxford United played Dorchester was November 1995; on that occasion Oxford recorded its greatest ever win of 9-1. That was also in the first round of the FA Cup, at the time though Oxford was in Division Two (what is now League One), and was to be promoted the following season to Division One (the Championship) along with rival team Swindon Town.

With only one league’s difference; a 9-1 win will probably not this time be on the cards for United, fans will still be expecting a comfortable victory however and could then potentially face a high profile away game against a team such as Leeds United, Leicester City, or even local rivals Swindon. Failing that; an easy second round draw would be excellent, reaching the FA Cup Third Round could mean a potential battle against a Premier League giant such as Chelsea or Man United.

The last time Oxford United reached the third round of the FA Cup was in the 2002/03 season; on that occasion we played an away game at Arsenal and lost the match 2-0; hardly a disgrace of a result. Another high profile third round tie such as this would be a dream come true for Oxford; at current we don’t own our own stadium and money is therefore very hard to come by. An FA Cup away trip such as this and we’ll be secure for the season.

We’ll need to get past Dorchester and another unknown team yet, for the time being the FA Cup dream is still very much alive for Oxford United though and who knows what the next couple of months will have in store for us. However far we get in the cup; Oxford United will still remain the football club I love, and forever this will remain to be true.


Many apologies for being so slow to update about this one; I’ve been quite busy setting up a new music blog and a new football blog also.

FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round 2008

The full draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup is as follows:

Hinckley United v Curzon Ashton
Kettering Town v Burton Albion
Tamworth v Barrow
Kings Lynn v Kidderminster Harriers
Boston United v Cambridge United
Newcastle Blue Star v Altrincham
Droylsden v Belper Town
Durham City v Histon
Retford United v Alfreton Town /Ilkeston Town
Northwich Victoria v AFC Telford United
Blyth Spartans AFC v Guiseley AFC /Sheffield
York City v Mansfield Town
Fleetwood Town v Nantwich Town
Wrexham v Eastwood Town /Harrogate Town
Stevenage Borough v Horsham
Woking v Ebbsfleet United
Hampton & Richmond Borough v Brackley Town
Oxford United v Hayes & Yeading United
Maidstone United v Dover Athletic /AFC Wimbledon
Frome Town /Team Bath v Salisbury City
Dorchester Town v Bishop's Stortford
Oxford City v Eastbourne Borough
Ashford Town (Middx) v Forest Green Rovers
Evesham United v Rushden & Diamonds
Bury Town v Basingstoke Town /Bashley
Burgess Hill Town v Harlow Town /Crowborough Athletic
Grays Athletic v AFC Totton
Aylesbury United v Sutton United
Torquay United v Atherstone Town /Chipstead
Leiston v Lewes
Crawley Town v Havant & Waterlooville
Weymouth v AFC Hornchurch


As you can see, Oxford United will be at home to Hayes and Yeading United, Oxford City meanwhile will also be at home and will play Eastbourne Borough. As an Oxford United fan of many years I can honestly say that I'd rather go and watch City than United; if I was from Manchester this is something you'd probably never hear me say, as an Oxford fan though it's all very true.

Playing Eastbourne Borough will be a very big occasion for Oxford City and a fantastic chance to reach the First Round proper and play a League side. Oxford United against Hayes and Yeading United on the other hand will be a very low profile event and could well end in embarrassment. I'll be rooting for Oxford to win, as unpredictable as Oxford United is at current though I just don't know what to expect from the side.

Oxford United is often quite incapable of scoring goals at current; no matter how many chances are had. It'll therefore be interesting to see how United cope with Hayes and Yeading United, a side that currently sits third in the Blue Square South. That said though; Oxford is often very good at gaining results against high flying opponents, just not so strong at shooting down minnows.

As the underdogs, Hayes and Yeading United will be up for this and also very excited to play a team that won the League Cup 22 years ago. Oxford United will not have it easy when this home game rolls around on October 25th, it'll be up to Oxford to sink Hayes and Yeading United; on their day they could do it with ease, with Oxford United you never quite know which team will turn up. Will it be Jekyll or will it be Hyde? Only time shall tell.

Concentration Key at Altrincham

Going into a tough away game at Altrincham; Oxford United now know that concentration is very much key. After scoring late on in Thursday’s game and earning themselves a point, Oxford must now keep positive and remain strong as they head to Altrincham. Altrincham is an in form team at current, and although Altrincham should have theoretically been relegated for the last three seasons; that hasn’t stopped them from this time turning it all around and finally looking as though they may just do something in the Blue Square Premier League this season.

For the last three seasons Altrincham has finished in the bottom four, once 22nd and twice 21st. Three times the team has been saved however through other clubs pulling out of the league due to bankruptcy/being relegated down for various different reasons. Altrincham is a very lucky team to still be in this league, currently the side has 3 more points than Oxford however and it’ll now be up to Oxford to match their thrice ‘relegated’ opponents.

Oxford United is very inconsistent at current and who knows how the team may play against Altrincham; I’m hoping for big things from my beloved Oxford United however and will very much be hoping for the full 3 points to be gained. Never bet against Oxford; it might seem fairly unlikely right now that a win will come, with Oxford always be prepared to expect the unexpected though and don’t be too surprised if/when three points are in the bag.

Osborne Joins Eastbourne

Having not so long ago spent a month on loan at Oxford Untied; Brentford’s Karleigh Osborne has now joined Eastbourne Borough on a short term loan until November 6th. There had been talk that he’d potentially be returning to Oxford, Oxford having recently changed chairman and things generally looking up for the side; it wasn’t to be though and it has now been announced that Osborne has joined Eastbourne and will be in the side for the game against Stevenage on Sunday.

Osborne is an experienced defender and although not technically highly skilled; his defensive duties are superb and he should prove to be a huge help for Eastbourne who currently sit unhappily in the drop zone. Osborne proved himself to be a powerful presence in the Oxford back four during his month on loan at the Kassam and I’m sure that he’ll be just as effective at Eastbourne as he had been in Oxfordshire.

This news comes at the same time that it’s announced that Eastbourne striker Jean-Michel Sigere has signed for Horsham on a three-month loan deal. He signed for Boro in the summer but has found himself to be surplus to requirements and as such has departed in order to gain some first team experience at fellow East Sussex side Horsham.

Oxford Grab Deserved Draw

After a poor first half display, Oxford United here turned it around in the second half of the game as they grabbed a draw away at Torquay. Torquay dominated the first half, only managed the one goal however and this was only due to poor Oxford United defending from a corner kick. The Oxford United players had been drawn to the ball leaving the post completely unmarked and allowing for defender Chris Robertson to cruise in and grab a goal for the home side. Chris Robertson didn’t seem to know too much about the goal, he came rushing in and the ball bounced off his trailing leg and went through the legs of Billy Turley to find the back of the net. Torquay were good value for the lead, it was poor defending on Oxford’s behalf however and they really should have done more to stop it.

Despite disappointing in the first half, Oxford United came out in the second like a completely different team, enjoying much of the possession and creating a number of chances to level the game. Haldane had a great chance to score, didn’t get his whole weight behind the shot but still it took a strong save from Scott Bevan to deny him by pushing the ball onto the post and away from goal.

In the 89th minute of the match Oxford’s equalising goal came and it was Trainer who was the man to grab it. Again from a corner; Trainer cruised into the box in a similar style to that which Robertson had done early on and was happy to see his shot hit the back of the net. Oxford had drawn level and it was now too late for Torquay to do anything about it.

A draw was a fair reflection of the game, both teams played well for a half and each side deserved a point. It will have felt like a loss for Torquay to have conceded so late on; Oxford United will have been happy to have grabbed a point that never seemed too likely at the stage of the game the goal was scored though, and the Oxford fans will be by far the happier of the two side’s supporters.

It was a decent second half of football for Oxford, and having broken the Setanta curse against Cambridge; a draw against a team that had won five of its last 6 games wasn’t too bad a result at all. Oxford United’s season is now looking up a little, the side is still struggling but it’s all starting to come together a little more than it had been and that’s always good to see.

Torquay 1-1 Oxford United

Fans Pledge Support to Buy the Kassam

Nick Merry has for a long while now been seeking to buy the Kassam Stadium from present owner Firoz Kassam and recently announced that he’d be grateful of any backing that could be provided. Supporters have backed this, and it has been suggested by some that fans could put money towards the stadium cost in order to allow Woodstock Partners Ltd. to buy it from businessman Firoz Kassam.

This sounds to me like it could be an incredibly good plan indeed; we need to own the stadium in order to generate revenue from it. At current the only funds that are being raised are from ticket sales, and of that ticket sales money much of that is being paid back to Kassam in order for Oxford United to rent out the stadium. The fact of Oxford United not owning their own ground therefore leaves money very tight and the sooner the stadium is bought from the club; the better.

So let us unite, put our funds together, and let’s obtain ownership of our stadium. Once we own the stadium then we can move onwards and upwards; at current however, Kassam is merely crushing the club further and further into the ground. Never a great chairman; Oxford suffered nothing but relegation under the reign of Kassam, and even now that he’s no longer chairman he continues to harm the club further still. Oxford United need to own their stadium and we as fans need to make sure this happens.

United Finally Beat the Setanta Curse

With a 3-1 win over Cambridge United; Oxford have finally defeated the Setanta curse with goals from Jamie Guy, Adam Murray, and Lewis Haldane. Jamie Guy and Lewis Haldane have both been threatening all season; finally they’ve managed a breakthrough however and finally Oxford United have won on Setanta.

It was a much needed win for the yellows, and amongst talk of bailiffs, administration, and relegation; Oxford must now push on from this victory and climb a little further up the Blue Square Premier league (in which they currently sit 19th).

It’s not been a particularly good season for Oxford so far, could this potentially be the turning point that Oxford required however? I sure hope so.

Non League Football Paper Fantasy Football Update

Just a quick post today to tell you all to take a look at the Non League Football Paper Fantasy Football League Table. My team ‘Oxford All Stars’ is currently 390th with 624 points. For the past couple of weeks my team name has been printed within the pages of the Sunday edition of the Non League Football Paper; quite possibly my greatest ever claim to fame!

Currently 139 points off of the top spot, still doing pretty good however and given that there are 1674 people in it I don’t think 390th is too bad at all! 59 points outside the top 100 at current but all could easily change; I’ll keep updating as and when the table is brought up to speed and I’ll let you all know how I’m getting on with this fantastic Fantasy Football League!

Wish me luck, and let’s hope that Oxford United can start winning a few games and take me a little further up the Fantasy Football Table!

Jamie Guy Injured Again

Further hurt for Oxford United today as it’s announced that Jamie Guy has once more been ruled out with injury. Having been out at the start of the season due to a hamstring injury picked up in a Friendly game against Portsmouth; Jamie Guy now has a swollen ankle having turned awkwardly on it during training.

Jamie Guy has commented the following regarding his injury: "There are two options. One is that it's a minor thing, which is what I'm hoping for, but the other is that it's fairly extensive and I'd be out for a while. We won't know until the scan but I'm prepared for the worst and gutted if it does mean a while out of contention."

Let’s hope for the best then, there’s a chance that it’s nothing serious and that Jamie Guy will soon be back in action in an Oxford United shirt. On the flip side of this however it could be something more serious leaving Oxford a little limited up front given the injury of James Constable also.

Fingers crossed, and hopefully I shall be able to shed some further light on the injury tomorrow.

Oxford United Reach the Third Round of the FA Cup

It’s that time of the day people; it’s time for another Football Manager 2008 update! A further seven Oxford Untied games have been played since yesterday whilst Manchester United have played just six. First things first then: how are my Oxford United team doing now? Well, we’re still 7th in the league and since yesterday have managed one league win and three draws. Three of our seven games have been in the cup however and it is there that we have had the success.

A 2-0 away win over League 2 high-fliers Bury (currently 4th) and we’re into the third round of the FA Cup. We now need to face Southend, the side Oxford actually did play in the FA Cup last year. I doubt we’ll win against Southend, at least it’s at home however so we’ll have that advantage on our side. We’ve also had the pleasure of playing Newport County twice; once in the FA Trophy 1st Round, and once in the 4th Round of the Setanta Shield. In the FA Trophy we comfortably smashed them 4-0 at home; Yemi Odubade scored himself a hat-trick, and Robert Duffy got on the scoresheet also (who now funnily enough is actually now a Newport County player in real life). Duffy could have had a few more, wasted his chances however and therefore had to remain content with just the one goal.

When it came to the Setanta Shield against Newport County it was a completely different story. Newport made it very difficult for us and although they went behind twice; the game eventually ended level at 2-2. It was dragged out into extra-time, and then went to penalties also. To make matters worse; Matt Green got injured in the 90th minute and he was the scorer of both our two goals. It was actually his first start of the season, he’s smashed 8 goals in 12 for the reserves however and I therefore decided he was worth a shot and gave him his chance in the first team for the Setanta Shield game. I’ll definitely be using him again in the future, he’s out for 3 weeks now though so it’ll be a while yet before he’s fully fit and ready to once more put on the shirt. The penalty shoot-out went to plan; Oxford United won the game and progressed into the Setanta Shield 5th round. It took nine penalties to win it, we did it though and here’s the screen shot to prove it:




Yemi Odubade is now the teams top scorer by far, 15 goals in 23 games leaves him a whopping seven goals ahead of the competition, and hat-tricks against Harrow and Newport County have most definitely helped his cause. He’s only scored 7 league goals which leaves him level with Robert Duffy and Justin Richards; overall he’s flying away however and always an absolute threat in the Oxford United leading line.

Man Utd have won three of their last six, drawn two, and lost just the one; the game we lost was against Olympiakos however, and knowing that a win for them would knock Lazio out of the competition; I happily fielded a weakened side. Having lost 5-3 to Lazio away, we got our revenge in the home game with a 4-0 win against them. Huntelaar had a hat-trick, Rooney getting in on the action also. Huntelaar’s goal tally is now coming along quite nicely, he’s nearly caught up with Tevez now and in a lot less minutes of football also. Man Utd are 5th in the league and far from perfect, making progress however and next season I hope to have the side completely as I want it and capable of winning the league, the Champions League, and perhaps even the FA Cup also. We shan’t shy away from any competitions, we’ll be out to win it all and next season I’m confident that we shall. Rooney is still the team’s top scorer with 13 goals in 16 appearances; when Rooney is present in the squad we fear no one and are incredibly consistent; onwards and upwards, that’s what I say; as long as Rooney stays fit then there’s always a great chance that we’ll win games and go on to take the title. We’re a long way off at the moment; watch out though Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City; we’re looking to take points left, right, and centre and we most definitely mean business.

With Oxford I’m aiming for a place in the play-offs, and with Man Utd my aim is to reach the Champions League and finish the season as high up as possible. I’m not overly confident that I’ll win the Premier League, I do however believe that we’ll sneak second, and with Oxford playing as well as they are at current; both of my teams are looking very good right now. Richie Leigh is not the best in the business, he’s not bad though and with a few astute January transfer signings; both teams could well take their respective leagues by storm in the second half of the season. Watch this space, and expect the unexpected.

Jeannin the Hat-Trick Hero

I promised a Football Manager update and here it is; I’m keeping to my word and providing you with all the information about what’s going on at the moment with my Oxford United team in Football Manager 2008. It's not particularly pretty, it's better than reality however and right nw that's all that really matters.

We’re now into November and Oxford United has recently progressed into the second round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 win over Tooting and Mitcham. In a bizarre series of events; all three Oxford goals came from penalties, two of which were scored and one of which was scored from the rebound; Jeannin bagged all three and grabbed his first goals of the season in absolutely spectacular fashion. Jeannin had a cracking game and was rated 10/10 for his performance; a fine bit of form for the Oxford man that no longer really is (in reality the Frenchman now plays for Mansfield Town).

Oxford United currently sit 7th in the Blue Square Premier with 32 points from 20 games played; Yemi Odubade the side’s top scorer with 8 goals, and Justin Richards following behind in a close second with six. It’s not been a great season for the Yellows so far; the side still stands a chance of reaching the play-offs however, and that’s a lot more than can be said of the real Oxford United at current.

To make things interesting I’m also manager of Manchester United; it fleshes the seasons out a little and gives me something to aim for with two teams of completely different levels. At the start of the season I controversially sold Rio Ferdinand in order to bring in a new striker; the board had given me a transfer budget of £10 million, and with the real Man Utd having just splashed out £30.75 million on Dimitar Berbatov; I felt the need to do some spending of my own and also sought the signature of Mr Berbatov. I didn’t quite manage Berbatov, what I did do however was sign Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Ajax for £15.25 million. So far he’s made 7 appearances and scored 2 goals, the last of which in our 5-0 demolition of Fulham at Craven Cottage. He seems to be settling in nicely in our squad, it was well worth selling Rio in my humble opinion (even if our back four is suffering quite considerably as a result). Andre Bikey is arriving for us in January; Rooney wasn’t happy when I sold Ferdinand, I told him I’d replace him however, and remaining true to my word; Andre Bikey is on his way to Old Trafford to try and fill Rio’s boots. Needless to say there wasn’t much money left over after I signed Huntelaar.... ah well.... who needs defence when you’ve got three amazing strikers in your squad?!

Manchester United currently sit 6th in the Premier League table... perhaps we did need Rio Ferdinand after all then; my bad. We’re 13 games into the season and already United are out of the League Cup after losing to Manchester City as well, we didn’t really want that useless cup anyway though and are instead focussing our efforts on the UEFA Champions League. We’ve been drawn in Group E along with Olympiakos, Lazio, and Olympique Lyonnais; things didn’t start too well in the Champions League actually as we got off to a 5-3 defeat against Lazio, from there we’ve grown, built, and developed however, and after a 0-0 bore draw with Olympiakos; we then went on to beat Olympique Lyonnais both home and away. 3-1 at home, 2-1 away; we now sit top of the group, panic over.

Oxford travel to Grays next, Man Utd face Bolton at home; Oxford are currently undefeated in five, Man Utd on the other hand don’t have quite such a great record but on the plus side won the last game 5-0. The future could be bright for both clubs; I’ll post another update tomorrow and let you know how things are moving along for my two teams. I’m confident of achieving trophies this season, not too sure which ones yet; perhaps the FA Trophy or even the FA Cup; maybe even both, only time shall tell however and you people will of course be amongst the very first to find out.

I shall end this post with a song.... altogether now:

We love you Oxford, we do.
We love you Oxford, we do.
We love you Oxford, WE DO.
OHHH Oxford we love you!
UNITED! UNITED! UNITED!

Day and Curruthers Transfer Listed

Oxford United have placed Matt Day and Chris Carruthers on the transfer list, it’s expected that Luke Foster is to join Rushden on loan also and be sold to them in the January transfer window. Should all three of these players leave the club then this will leave the Oxford backline incredibly bare.

Oxford have had a poor start to the season and currently only have 9 points from 9 games, leaving the club placed 19th in the division out of a possible 24; if Oxford are to sell their defenders then this could leave the club in yet further turmoil. Just ten years ago; Oxford United was a team in the Championship, in 2008 Oxford is a struggling Blue Square Premier side however and every passing week things just seem to be getting worse for the club.

There was an expectation that the club may achieve promotion in the 2008/09 season, as it stands however; a more realistic task for Oxford United will be that of avoiding relegation to the Blue Square South.

Introducing Oxford Manager

As a great fan of Oxford United and also Football Manager; I’ve set up this blog in order to combine these two interests of mine. I love Oxford United Football Club, and I also love to play Football Manager as Oxford United. I shall here be sharing with you my in game progress in Football Manager, the real life goings on of Oxford United, and generally just sharing all things to do with the great club that is Oxford United, the fantastic football game that is Football Manager, and all things in between.

Keep checking back for further updates, to see how Oxford United is progressing in real life, but also within the game. Hopefully things will go well for the club in both; don’t get your hopes up too high however as at the time of writing this the real-life Oxford United F.C. currently has just 9 points from 9 games and sits 19th in the Blue Square Premier League out of a possible 24; not too good then really.

Keep checking back for further updates, keep following the fantastic game that is football, and most importantly of all; never give up on the great football club that is Oxford United. Oxford United has seen better days, I’m still Oxford till I die however and proud to call myself an Oxford United fan.

I’ve recently started a game in Football Manager 2008 with Oxford United and Manchester United; tune in tomorrow when I reveal as to how the two clubs are doing and what has been going on transfer-wise, and also results-wise.

See you tomorrow!