Username
Password
Mid table mediocrity beckons
By Nathan Jackson
July 25 2005
Apologies to Oxford for missing them out and doing Peterborough first but one you read this, you won't regret the wait. Oxford, to be frank, were the worst side City played last season and to say that we could have scored 10 or 11 past them last season, isn't a lie and I can't see that changing.

Name Oxford United

Location Oxford, Oxfordshire

Manager Brian Talbot

Ground Name Kazzam Stadium

Capacity 12,500

 

Last Season Well what did I tell you about Graham Rix? Only 3 league wins for a long part of the season saw Oxford dangerously close to the relegation zone. To many goalless games cost them dear, as did a lack of proper defending, the best example of that being in the game away at Yeovil where they suffered a 6-1 defeat.

 

Rix was eventually sacked and replaced with Ramon Diaz and although results improved momenterily, the was not changing the fact that Oxford were just also rans last season. Against Lincoln, they probably played the worst they've played all season, at Sincil Bank, City won 3-0 whereas at the Kazzam, it finished 1-0 but City could have easily wonby 6 or 7 after having 4 goals disallowed in the first half as well as several chances hitting the bar.

 

This season? Although they have made one or two impressive signings, including ex-Rushden keeper, Billy Turley, Oxford shouldn't really trouble either end of the table. The departure of Tommy Mooney will hurt the most as they relied on him so much last season and although they have a good pairing in Lee Bradbury and Steve Basham, they should expect anything higher than midtable.

 

Prediction 15th, as I said, some good signings, some disappointing departures and a lack of consistency will see them finish 15th at best.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with: