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      OPPOSITION VIEW - OXFORD UNITED Q&A


Ahead of Tuesday night's Capital One Cup clash with Oxford at The Hawthorns, we spoke to United fan George about their season so far, Michael Appleton, Tuesday's game and more. You can follow George on Twitter
@GeorgeDugdale

Looking back at 2013/14, you looked a good bet for promotion from League Two for the majority of the season before falling away during the spring, any particular reason why the team’s form dipped so badly?

The change in management had a big impact on the club. Chris Wilder's position was never particularly secure as he had a year remaining on his contract and with promotion being the only thing which would have seen him offered an extension, he was well within his rights to look elsewhere. He applied for the Portsmouth job earlier in the season and the knowledge that he was actively looking elsewhere made the fans uneasy. 

However, the period after he left for Northampton was where everything unravelled. A long selection process, which was designed to give Mickey Lewis a chance to claim the job himself, resulted in Gary Waddock agreeing to join. Results were miserable, the confidence was low and the season collapsed. From being a defensively solid side with a great away record, we were unable to find a win and the season came to a miserable conclusion. 

Highlight of last season?

The opening day win at Portsmouth. We went 1-0 down, but came storming back to win 4-1 in the sunshine, in front of 2,500 fans and many more disappointed ones of a blue persuasion. Hopes are always high on the opening day, but this one really lived up to it. 

Low point of last season?

The defeat to Southend felt like a low point. We'd finally appointed
Gary Waddock, we were live on Sky and we were horrible. We were beaten 3-0, it could have been many more and it was there for everybody to see. Southend hadn't won in an age, but they were on a different level to us. That was when it began to sink in that there was no quick fix. 

Player of last season?

Ryan Clarke, our goalkeeper. He has always been an important player, but he was phenomenal throughout the season. He's a great shot-stopper, has a phenomenal record of saving penalties and each time you think he's pulled off the best save he can, he raises the bar. That night at Southend would have been far more ugly if he hadn't been in such inspired form. Unfortunately he underwent surgery in the summer and won't be back in action until November. We have George Long in his place, who is an excellent shot-stopper, but has been giving some fans heart-attacks after watching Manuel Neuer in the summer. 

Apart from victory over Bristol City in the first round of the cup, it’s not been the best of starts for Oxford this season, having lost all four league games so far, how have performances been and have the defeats been deserved?

It isn't easy to say this when you are bottom of the Football League without a point to your name, but three of the performances in the league have been very reasonable. The defeat to Mansfield was a real disappointment because we didn't get going until the final 15 minutes and then got caught as we looked for a winner. Burton and Portsmouth feel like sides who will be up there at the end of the season, while Morecambe have made a flying start. I'm taking heart in the fact that we are losing by a goal each week, rather than 'doing a Fulham'. The transfer activity this summer was so far behind our rivals due to a change in ownership, so we're very much a work in progress. We pass the ball nicely, but we're not scoring enough goals (or any goals). It looks bleak, but I'll be worried in a month if the situation is the same. A win at home to Dagenham next weekend and everybody will be much happier. 

What are supporters expectations for this season and has the poor start changed them?

The expectations at Oxford will always be promotion. The fans remember being a club in the top two tiers of English football and will continue to demand a return there until it happens. The change in ownership and manager over the summer have set us back in terms of the immediate situation, but should benefit us in the longer term. Former WBA man Mark Ashton is running things from a football perspective and in tandem with Appleton, they seem to have a good idea about how we move forward. The football is pleasing on the eye, but now needs to be combined with a killer instinct in the opposition box. 

Thoughts on former Baggie and current United boss Michael Appleton?

Appleton has been impressive in terms of what he has said since he arrived and the style of football is pleasing on the eye. We keep the ball well, but we need to find a way to turn that into goals. We came close against Pompey at the weekend, but while we are missing chances and conceding first in games, we will continue to struggle. Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation, we desperately need a number 10 who can thrive in that position. We have tried central midfielders and strikers there, but a genuine creative player feels important if we are to turn performances into points. 

I'm optimistic about life under Appleton, but I can understand why some are becoming nervy after the early results. 

United player for Albion to watch out for on Tuesday?

It feels tough to recommend an attacking player when we are failing to score goals, so I will go for Michael Collins. He is one of our two deep-lying midfielders and he had a phenomenal game against Portmouth. He breaks up play, has a good engine and uses the ball brilliantly. It will be a test against Albion's midfield, but he's looking like a promising addition. If any of our attackers would care to step up against you, that would be terrific. 

How many United fans are expected to travel to the game and how does that compare to a normal away fixture?

I believe we have sold over 1,000, although we would have sold more if results had been better early on. We do travel well, especially for games close to home. We travelled in great number (and voice) to West Ham a few years ago, but we won't match that this time around. In the Conference days we were outnumbering home fans at some grounds and away games have always been where Oxford fans raise their game. As it's a decent cup game and the performances haven't been as bad as results suggest, I hope we'll give a good account of ourselves. 

Prediction for Oxford’s season?

I think we'll improve as the year goes on. The time it takes us to do that will determine where we end up. If we can have a season of transition to put us in a good position to go out all guns blazing next season, I won't be upset. So many teams have a great second half of the season to sneak into the play-offs. I would love that to be us (and I wouldn't rule it out), but while we aren't scoring or collecting points, you'll forgive me for sticking with a mid-table finish with a really good 2015/16. This could bite me later on, but I'm certainly confident that we won't be going down. 

Thoughts on Albion? Any of our players you rate?

The day job very much involves looking at Premier League teams, rather than the League Two side that take so much of my attention. Mulumbu, when at his best, is a player that I really enjoy watching. When he is on his game, he gives really good midfielders a tough afternoon. I certainly wouldn't fancy playing against him. He should be in the prime of his career at the moment, but I'd still like to see him turn out the performances that we all know he can every week.

As a slightly more outside the box shout, I began watching Andre Wisdom play with England's youth teams many years ago and I think he can be a real asset for you. He always feels slightly uncomfortable at right-back and he really should progress into the middle sooner rather than later, but he's got a real presence on the pitch. He has been touted as a top player since he was 15/16 and this move has to be the platform for him to become that after a really solid season with
Derby County

Prediction for Tuesday night?       

It depends very much what team you put out. I think we'll be beaten, but if we can replicate the performance at West Ham from a few years ago, I'd be very happy. We were tight in defence, frustrated them and had chances on the break. They only found a way through in stoppage time. The longer you can stay in these games, the greater your chances of ruining someone's evening. 

As I've said throughout, I hope you won't feel like you're watching the worst team in the football league. If we carry a threat, I'll go home happy. 


 

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