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Why Yemi was taken off the list
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| Yemi Odubade |
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson said last night that Yemi Odubade has been taken off the transfer list because he's now "putting in a shift" every game.
And he revealed how the 23-year-old striker's scintillating form during April has transformed him from an unlikely starter to one of the first names on the manager's teamsheet.
The fans' player of the year in 2006-7, Odubade looked to be on his way out of the club after he was transfer-listed, along with Eddie Hutchinson, Alex Jeannin, Carl Pettefer and Joel Ledgister, earlier in the year following a dip in his performances.
But he has knuckled down and, like right-sided midfielder Eddie Anaclet, grasped the opportunity when it was given to him.
The former Eastbourne Borough striker struck three goals in four games at the end of the season to finish as United's 11-goal top scorer, and he made all three goals in the final match, a 3-1 win at Ebbsfleet.
Patterson said: "I think being transfer-listed gave Yemi a shock. And fair play to him, he has buckled down, worked on his fitness and come back looking sharp and dangerous.
"The big question now is whether he can continue into next season. He deserves a chance to be here and to show us that he can maintain that commitment and effort over a longer period.
"There have been spells this season where he has let his standards slip. He knows that and we will work together to get the best out of him.
"If he does, then we know his pace will always trouble opponents and if he adds a level of consistency to that, then he will be a big asset."
Patterson said that, as it happened, Odubade was the last of the players to be seen on Monday night when he talked individually to all those who were out of contract or transfer-listed.
"It was not by choice, it was just the way it turned out, but he was the last one we saw," said United's manager.
"We talked him through the season and we told him howhe's done so well that in the last couple of weeks, he's been one of the first names on my teamsheet and that's down to the boy himself."
Odubade and Anaclet both appear to have had a new lease of life thorugh being very positive and determined to seize their chance.
But they need to keep performing, Patterson insisted.
"They've got to do it - I'm not going to suffer anybody who doesn't," he said.
"They know what I'm about now, know the standards that I've set and that I'm actually going to improve on next year.
"I'm very, very pleased with the end of the season, winning nine out of 11 is a fantastic run - I don't even know if Aldershot have done that this year. It is an incredible run, especially with the squad of players that we have.
"However, I don't look any further than the league. I know what drives me and what expectations I have.
"The players have got to do it. They've got to grow up, they've got to be men, with the ball and without it, they've got to put a proper shift in.
"When Yemi and Eddie do both of those, you can see how effective they are. They are good players and can be a massive asset for us next season. If they don't, they won't be in the team.
"But they know that, because they're grasping the nettle now."
9:06pm Wednesday 30th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: terry tibbs, oxford on 11:45pm Wed 30 Apr 08
thats it patto, you've put it spot-on, expectations are one of the main thing when a player arrives at this club, both eddie and yemi know they can be fantastic player when they want to be, if they are consistant in next season we'll be looking at a 20+ goal striker next season, and many - a -assist player in anaclet
thats it patto, you've put it spot-on, expectations are one of the main thing when a player arrives at this club, both eddie and yemi know they can be fantastic player when they want to be, if they are consistant in next season we'll be looking at a 20+ goal striker next season, and many - a -assist player in anaclet
Posted by: David, Stevenage on 11:13am Thu 1 May 08
Patterson, deserves credit for looking to raise the bar and developing the essential work ethic. If players are making and giving 110% effort on the pitch, then they deserve our full support. But there should be no illusions, this is a tough league to get out of since with one going up, it favours the league clubs comming down. Playing on little bumpy grounds in front of a cowshed on rain swept nights at odds days and times in the week, takes extra mental quality, skills and fitness given a small squad. If we can continue to sharpen that clincal killer instinct towards and infront of goal. Then next season is ours for the taking. End of term report,made good recent progress, trying hard, need to keep doing better, especially in front of goal.
David.
Patterson, deserves credit for looking to raise the bar and developing the essential work ethic. If players are making and giving 110% effort on the pitch, then they deserve our full support. But there should be no illusions, this is a tough league to get out of since with one going up, it favours the league clubs comming down. Playing on little bumpy grounds in front of a cowshed on rain swept nights at odds days and times in the week, takes extra mental quality, skills and fitness given a small squad. If we can continue to sharpen that clincal killer instinct towards and infront of goal. Then next season is ours for the taking. End of term report,made good recent progress, trying hard, need to keep doing better, especially in front of goal.
David.
Posted by: Patto's yellow army, North Leigh on 6:10pm Thu 1 May 08
Patto, you are becoming quickly the manager you were for our youth who won the league.Spot on, you have done wonders for Yemi and Eddie, thank you.
Patto, you are becoming quickly the manager you were for our youth who won the league.Spot on, you have done wonders for Yemi and Eddie, thank you.
Posted by: ox9/hp18, thame on 8:04pm Thu 1 May 08
if he can improve his first touch then he could be a very valuable asset for this club
it does,nt matter who you are as a defender if you have someone as quick as yemi running at you then you have to be very careful when or if you decide to challenge/tackle him
we must accept that we will always be a buy nuture then sell club
yemi will go eventually but lets at least say he learned and honed his trade with us
if he can improve his first touch then he could be a very valuable asset for this club
it does,nt matter who you are as a defender if you have someone as quick as yemi running at you then you have to be very careful when or if you decide to challenge/tackle him
we must accept that we will always be a buy nuture then sell club
yemi will go eventually but lets at least say he learned and honed his trade with us
Posted by: ox9/hp18, thame on 8:04pm Thu 1 May 08
if he can improve his first touch then he could be a very valuable asset for this club
it does,nt matter who you are as a defender if you have someone as quick as yemi running at you then you have to be very careful when or if you decide to challenge/tackle him
we must accept that we will always be a buy nuture then sell club
yemi will go eventually but lets at least say he learned and honed his trade with us
if he can improve his first touch then he could be a very valuable asset for this club
it does,nt matter who you are as a defender if you have someone as quick as yemi running at you then you have to be very careful when or if you decide to challenge/tackle him
we must accept that we will always be a buy nuture then sell club
yemi will go eventually but lets at least say he learned and honed his trade with us
Posted by: Farrel., Oxford on 10:51pm Thu 1 May 08
If Yemi keeps playing like he has been recently, then I can't see why not take him off. He was brilliant for us, last season (When we were in the play off's) so with hopefully a little reasurance he should be the player that we all know he can be. Good luck Yemi.
If Yemi keeps playing like he has been recently, then I can't see why not take him off. He was brilliant for us, last season (When we were in the play off's) so with hopefully a little reasurance he should be the player that we all know he can be. Good luck Yemi.
Posted by: Richard Wickson, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire on 12:22pm Fri 2 May 08
Darren needs a big pat on the back, i have always been one to criticise when i see things i dont like but i am a fair person and he has now put his stamp on the job, the players now know where they stand and hopefully if he is able to improve his squad we will see better performances over the whole of next season. The expectations are high amongst us loyal fans and in Darren i now believe we have a guy that can deliver and raise those expectations steadily and he deserves the Manager of the month award he has won for April, well done DP.
Darren needs a big pat on the back, i have always been one to criticise when i see things i dont like but i am a fair person and he has now put his stamp on the job, the players now know where they stand and hopefully if he is able to improve his squad we will see better performances over the whole of next season. The expectations are high amongst us loyal fans and in Darren i now believe we have a guy that can deliver and raise those expectations steadily and he deserves the Manager of the month award he has won for April, well done DP.
Posted by: dan rodgers, whateo on 11:16am Mon 5 May 08
THE BLOKES CRAP JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE SQUAD, OXFORD CITY ARE ON A PAR WITH UNITED
THE BLOKES CRAP JUST LIKE THE REST OF THE SQUAD, OXFORD CITY ARE ON A PAR WITH UNITED
Posted by: gordon, kingston blount on 1:43pm Wed 7 May 08
DAN ROGERS... YET ANOTHER BLIND IDIOT... BUT I SUPPOSE HE IS ENTITLED TO HIS OPINION...DAFT AS IT IS !
DAN ROGERS... YET ANOTHER BLIND IDIOT... BUT I SUPPOSE HE IS ENTITLED TO HIS OPINION...DAFT AS IT IS !
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