21/05/14

I usually enjoy the summer. I’m generally a more relaxed and probably nicer person during this time. I try and put Oxford United to the back of my mind. I need the break, particularly this one as we finished on such a low. There was only one thing as far as OUFC were concerned that could have made me feel even lower and that would have been a return to the Conference. So thanks to Chris Wilder for the points won under his guidance.

But the niggling pessimism is growing. I want to believe in Gary Waddock. But I’d be lying if I said I did.

I’m hearing things that I don’t want to hear. The players are not happy. The offer made to Beano was derisory so it is no surprise that he has signed for someone else. That it is Eastleigh is a bit of a surprise but probably partially explained by the fact they are Bridle owned. But Deane Smalley to Plymouth was a genuine surprise. That no new players have come in as yet and that there is pressure for the first team to consist of more youngsters than older more experienced bodies tells me we are much more likely to be looking at a relegation battle than poking our noses in anywhere near the top of the table.

I’ve defended Ian Lenagan in the past but now if there was someone with credible credentials who wanted to take the club off his hands I’d be seriously saying time for a change. (I’m not because there isn’t).

What’s going on has to be all about cost cutting and it seems rather obvious that GW is going to have to operate on a reduced budget compared to CW’s last campaign. By how much, at this time, we can only guess. Did Gary get the job because he is a yes man? I’m asking this as a serious question.

I renewed my season ticket at the last home game of the season, yet today I’ve just got my renewal application through the post. The accompanying letter is worth a gander.

“These are exciting times for Oxford United”. Please explain how this is going to come about because I don’t believe in miracles.
“Gary Waddock believes in the new Oxford United philosophy”. And this new philosophy is? It varies from our old philosophy (if we had one) how? I’ve no idea what Oxford United’s aims and objectives are or how it is intended to achieve them. Perhaps staying up will be seen as success because you won’t win anything (in League Two) with youngsters.
“A good playing surface throughout the season.” Now the piss is truly being taken.

I want to be optimistic, I really do, but all the signs point in the other direction.

When we start getting some new blood in my pessimism may abate somewhat but will this new blood be better than the old blood departed for the money we will be offering? I would hope to get better strikers than we’ve had since our return to the Football League but will believe it when I see it.

On that note, what a sad day now that Beano is no longer one of us. Deep down we know that he is a legend. Think the play-off semis, and then the final. Think Swindon. Think the two goals at the County ground and that he turned them down much to the chagrin of some at OUFC. And possibly my favourite, that goal against Luton that cut so short the Hatters fans celebration of their keeper’s penalty save. But deep down we also know that he was not one of the top League Two strikers. My concern is that instead of ending up with better we’ll end up with worse. That’s how pessimistic I’ve become. That’s what watching the yellows has done for me.

Come on Oxford United do something to cheer me and thousands of others up. We no longer believe but we want to.

22/05/14 – Ryan Hall? Only rumours? And the rumours are only of talks and he’s supposedly a bit of a problem child but I must confess that I am starting to develop a slight smile.