Oxford boss Wilder plays waiting game

9:30am Monday 21st May 2012 in Oxford Utd Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Oxford United manager Chris Wilder says he will bide his time over signings Oxford United manager Chris Wilder says he will bide his time over signings

Oxford United supporters are being warned not to expect a busy summer in the transfer market by manager Chris Wilder.

Recent close seasons have seen a flurry of activity, with a host of new signings arriving at the Kassam Stadium.

But only minor changes are likely before the next npower League Two season kicks off in August.

Wilder, pictured right, is looking for a 21-man first-team squad and as it stands there are 17 senior professionals already contracted to the club.

The U’s boss admitted everyone was going to have to be patient before the squad was strengthened.

“Definitely, it might be a really quiet summer, but we have to make sure we do the business right,” he said.

“I don’t think it’ll be the same situation that we’ve had over the last two or three years.”

Wilder is unlikely to have more money to spend on the playing staff than he had last season.

Although Asa Hall’s exit last week meant six players have left the club since the end of the season, it does not mean there is room to bring in another six.

Liam Davis, Alfie Potter and Jake Wright all signed improved contracts during last season, giving the U’s boss less room for manoeuvre now.

U’s chairman Kelvin Thomas believes the resources available remain competitive for a club looking to at least make the play-offs.

Kelvin said: “I’ve had some discussions with (owner) Ian (Lenagan,) and Chris, it was a budget to get into the top seven and I think it can do that – we have the players there and it’s a solid group.

“It’s not major surgery that’s needed, it’s a case of adding to what we’ve got.

“As a club we’ll always look to get good deals and both protect and gain assets, but we’re not going to splash down £250,000-500,000 on someone like some clubs can.

“Fair play to them if they can, but it’s just not where we’re at here.”

Wilder has shown several targets around the Kassam Stadium, but he is aware of competition from rivals in the same division with deeper pockets.

He said: “These guys are also talking to the Rotherhams, the Fleetwoods, the Northamptons of this world.

“I don’t think we can do anymore than show them our ambition, the drive that I’ve got which persuaded people like Michael Duberry, Peter Leven and Andy Whing to join us when they had other offers.

“It will be the same this summer – we’ll work extremely hard showing them round.

“They speak to the chairman, the staff, we talk about the fanbase and the fantastic support we have. We talk about what we want to do, which is going up.”

Comments(27)

jonny1976 says...
10:05am Mon 21 May 12

STRIKER, STRIKER, STRIKER. we need a STRIKER or striking coach to get the best out of what we have.

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northampton yellow says...
10:20am Mon 21 May 12

work harder then chris on these players which you have shown around offer bit more money do not be tight coz if these players go to the likes of northampton which you say got more money than us ,you are "WRONG" get it sorted and get them in just remember it is the supporters who will vote with our feet ."OUFC"

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AylesburyOx says...
12:24pm Mon 21 May 12

CW is right that major changes are not required and a complete over hall would be more detrimental than good.

It'll be a case of CW choosing the right formation, sticking to it and bringing in the correct men for the positions.
For me we must play 442 in this league. So my shopping list would be:-

Priorities:
Left winger
Right winger
Striker

Cover:
Central Midfielder
Left back

All these should be permanent signings and loans only used as an absolute last resort.

We also definitely require a striker coach. If we make no other signings then this should be it.

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LeGod says...
12:24pm Mon 21 May 12

A season of struggle then for you.

Rotherham will be the team next season as they are strenghtening.

Rovers-Torquay-Plymo
uth-Northampton-Wyco
mbe-Exeter-Southend.


Dont see much joy for Oxford finishing above any of those clubs.

Rotherham to win the league.

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sdyerUsa says...
1:21pm Mon 21 May 12

We have a great Striker in Beano who never was given a fair chance to regain his form, All strikers have lean spells. Look and Rooney, But his Manager and Fans stuck by him. Kept him in the Team until he regained his form. Beano however had a couple of games without scoring and was replaced with LONE players.... Way to hit is confidence.... LONE players were Oxford's downfall. We do need to spend some cash this year, Like to see at least five new Players

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dave from witney says...
2:49pm Mon 21 May 12

AylesburyOx wrote:
CW is right that major changes are not required and a complete over hall would be more detrimental than good.

It'll be a case of CW choosing the right formation, sticking to it and bringing in the correct men for the positions.
For me we must play 442 in this league. So my shopping list would be:-

Priorities:
Left winger
Right winger
Striker

Cover:
Central Midfielder
Left back

All these should be permanent signings and loans only used as an absolute last resort.

We also definitely require a striker coach. If we make no other signings then this should be it.
I Think Batt is now a bit of a weak link, need a good right back who is far quicker than Whing.

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yellowhoods says...
4:03pm Mon 21 May 12

So glad we are not involved in that tin pot league next year.

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CamView says...
4:33pm Mon 21 May 12

I am not sure about another striker - there are not many about and we have let two go. It is a top class midfield player we need that can get Constable and Craddock in with a chance. The service our strikers get is poor and that is why when strikers that leave us score - the team they go to supports them! any striker coming to Oxford is likely to be sent out on loan and slagged off by Wilder. He really must grasp this fundamental requirement. Constable, Craddock and pitman are all very able strikers but they will not score if they are left to Chase the ball all over type pitch trying to create something because they don't get a ball played to them that is designed to play to their individual strengths. Crossing the ball high to Constable is a complete waste of time -when does he score with his head. He needs it on the deck inside the 18 yard box - keep providing that ball and he will score. I suspect Craddock is the same. Pittman can make things happen on a half chance and will pick up the opportunist goal - but can also break through a defence.
So we need that subtle midfielder who can weight a pass into the stride ofthesee guys. We don't need hundred mile an hour crosses that Batt seems to delight in.

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bigchet says...
5:27pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

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bigchet says...
5:27pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:27pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:27pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:27pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:28pm Mon 21 May 12

i would like to see tyrone marsh added to the first team squad as he seems to know his way around the box. talk of the need for a striker coach maybe a tad to dear for us unless we can get a veteran stiker as player coach. its not easy to teach players to be in the right place at the right time as its an instinctive thing that you have either got it or not.

Report this post »

bigchet says...
5:54pm Mon 21 May 12

sorry about all the repeats my pc seems to run amok sometimes.

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BrightonYellow says...
8:05pm Mon 21 May 12

McLeod's just been released by Barnet. Sign him asap Wilder!

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support your local team says...
8:17pm Mon 21 May 12

Northampton Yellow seems to have completely disregarded most of what CW had to say focussing only on the message that some clubs might spend more than us. He, I suspect, would be protesting loudly if the financials of the club were sick (terrible management!etc).
We have a budget good enough for a top seven side - that sounds reasonable doesn't it?! Unless you

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LORD PETER MACVEY 0X2 6EG says...
8:32pm Mon 21 May 12

supporters are being warned not to expect a busy summer in the transfer market by manager Chris Wilder.

That is because you are getting the sack (hopefully) matey. You are a good NON-LEAGUE manager, but for Oxford to progress we need a proper manager, and sorry mate you are not one.

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jallie2 says...
10:02pm Mon 21 May 12

Agree with a lot that has been said, the team requires a tweek in the Midfield, someone who will get us 10-15 goals and assists for the strikers! If we can do a deal with West Ham then bring back Hall. Southampton have just released Holmes, but dont think he'll come to us! Its gonna be a make or break season for Wilder, stick to a formation and a rigid team injuries permitting!

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adlibber says...
6:40am Tue 22 May 12

How quickly we forget our lamentable failure to secure a play off spot by not winning any of our last 7 games eh? The fading memory of Wilder's post match cliches, the blame everyone but the manager tactic the woeful performances against dreadful opposition. Yeah I believe Wilder has got it sussed and our mid/lower table mediocrity next season will prove his theory. He needs to go I have little faith in him turning the team around with no new faces coming in. If Langan is happy with league two football he should inform the fans of this and the club will get the 3-4000 attendances its ambition deserves. I have to travel fair distance to home games and they will be few and far between next season if at all. I'm bored with Wilder and bored with his football.

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