Oxford United Quarterly Report

Oxford Utd Quarterly Report

Fannie Licker took time out of her busy schedule to speak to Mister Malcolm on Saturday evening after Oxford’s recent match to have a chat about the season so far and asked a few questions…

1)     Obviously fractions are just a number, but we are 25% of the way to the last day celebrations or commiserations, by all accounts being Champions of Europe counts for very little, “Failure Frank” is how the local press are referring to the Tranmere boss so far this season. How would you describe your season so far in a newspaper headline? High points, low points?

The only low point are the loss to Gillingham , largely due to the rash challenges of Araujo and the future retirement plans of Farfan and Neil who will now refuse to leave the club midseason as previously arranged.

High points. Well all the rest. I confidently predicted promotion when most gave us no chance, well I will change that now. I confidently predict at least second, even allowing for a midseason slump when we trade off a few players.

2)      Beddows at Blackburn may well come undone due to his failure to sell his ‘favourite’ players post season in order to invest in better quality… who at your club are your favourites? Who is the heartbeat of the side? Who is the passionate War leader in the dressing room?

Well I have no favourites but you have to look no further than Shay Given the goal stopping machine as the centre of the side and young Mauro Matos who while not scoring many has held up the ball so well to lay it off for other players.

3)     Obviously most manager’s pre-season sit down with their Chairman and target set. Are you ahead or on target, behind or wildly off-course? For example are you endanger of sinking likes Shipp’s Hull last season?

The chairman and I see eye to eye and he knows that we will get promoted but must accept a mid season slump as part of the plans. The fans love it anyway and it keeps up interest until the end of the season. I only have to avoid relegation and that is easy.

4)    Are you still in the Cup’s? Do you expect silverware come the end of the season? Who will be the victors in your Division?

The shield came too early in the season for us. Most of the players were still rubbing in the linament by the time the Posh were 3 – 0 up.  York, Bristol and Oldham should be our main rivals but they are not, Accrington , Bury and Wycombe are fighting above their weight, which will keep it interesting as injuries and fitness start to come into effect.

5)     Do you envisage yourself at the club come the end of this season? Some of the fans lately have been calling for your head? How do you respond to such calls? If you were to be sacked which manager would be the worst fit possible for your club?

Of course I will be with the clubs. Those so called fans just wanted quick results but the real fans know a quality manager. If I were replaced well Lord knows who the worst manager would be . ROAR!