Mark Gelder
Saturday's home game against Steve Davis's Crewe Alexandra sees a revitalised Oxford United hoping to make a determined attack on the play-offs, with no games against any of the top six teams until March. Last week 925 United fans made the short trip to Aldershot, and three first-half goals from Jon-Paul Pittman, Michael Duberry, and Peter Leven made it an enjoyable afternoon, although Chris Wilder apparently split his trousers whilst jumping up to see an attacking opportunity.

United team news
Wilder has not yet brought in any players in the transfer window, presumably waiting to see if there are any exits that need replacing. For news on Adam Chapman, Tony Capaldi, and Josh Payne, please see news stories to the right. In an Oxford Mail interview, chairman Kelvin Thomas has apparently suggested we are unlikely to see Robert Hall back from West Ham, but we thank him for his six goals during his time here.

Up front, JPP has shown why he was signed in the first place, Andy Whing seems to have regained his confidence after a slow start to his career here, Peter Leven seems to be improving game-on-game, and so we can presumably expect a pretty much unchanged starting line-up of Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Davis; Whing, Heslop, Leven; Potter, Constable, JPP. For those who like a wager on the game, defender Duberry has been priced in recent weeks at 16/1 to score at anytime, and with two goals already from 19 league appearances and a header off the bar at Torquay, it seems the bookmakers don't realise that he is sent up into the box for corners.

Crewe news
Legendary manager Dario Gradi always managed his teams to play stylish football, although he stepped down in November, with ex-United defender Steve Davis taking over the reins. As Gradi is still involved with the academy, we should expect a similar footballing ethic. In recent seasons, United have been at their best when their opponents try and play football, rather than having to face teams who 'park the bus' or physically outmuscle and bully the Us players.

The Alex start the game in 14th place, beating bottom side Plymouth Argyle 3-2 last week, managerless Bristol Rovers 5-2 on New Year's Eve, and losing at home 1-0 to Morecambe, and 3-0 away at Bradford in their other recent matches.

Shaun Miller (top scorer with six goals) and AJ Leitch-Smith (top assists with six) are apparently out with injuries, but they are hoping Byron Moore or Nick Powell (most shots with 57) will fill in. See news story to the right for an interview with Adam Dugdale (most appearances with 30). Davis has also brought in a loanee from Burton Albion: Greg Pearson, 26 years old and six foot tall was originally a West Ham trainee, and scored 42 goals in 67 appearances whilst at Bishop Stortford.

Other news
Preston North End of League One have now agreed compensation with Stevenage Boro to take their management team of Graham Westley, assistant John Dreyer, and coach Dino Maamria to Deepdale, having earlier agreed terms with the trio. Having taken Boro from non-league to League One in consecutive seasons, with eight of the BSP side appearing against Colchester recently, this will be a managerial step-up to an established league club with Preston very much a sleeping giant worthy of Championship level football.

Swindon Town caused an FA Cup 'upset' by beating a second string Wigan Athletic side of the Premier League. PDC declared it the greatest moment of his footballing life, the team deserved a commemorative plaque for their achievement. But that was last week: now he wants a new defender, winger, midfielder and a striker in the transfer window if his team are to stand a chance by the end of the season. [@news]3038[/@news][@news]3040[/@news][@news]3041[/@news][@news]3042[/@news][@news]3043[/@news][@news]3044[/@news][@news]3045[/@news][@player]Davis, Steve[/@player][@opponent]Crewe Alexandra[/@opponent][@connection]Crewe Alexandra[/@connection]