Oxford United are safe! Next season United will be playing once more in Division Two against the likes of Reading, Wycombe, swindon, Northampton, Bristol Rovers and City, Walsall, Luton, Brentford and possibly Barnet. All teams within easy reach of Oxford and something to look forward to for United supporters.

However, Rage Online urges caution before fans get too carried away with Denis Smith’s ‘success’. Firstly, there is still no guarantee that the club will be able to play at the Manor next season. Even if the FLA does grant dispensation it will probably come with a caveat that this will be the last season the club can use the decrepit terraces and asbestos-roofed stands. It might even require a guarantee that the new stadium at Minchery Farm have an end date for completion before granting any new license.

Then there remains speculation as to what Firoz Kassam is going to do should Oxford City Council lose the Judicial Review (and whether or not the City Council will mount a vigorous defence now that Labour is no longer in control). Will this setback force Kassam’s hand or will he remain with the club whatever? And if he stays, will he allow Smith to spend some money to strengthen the squad?

This leads on to the question of what shape the squad is going to have. Which of the out of contract players will be kept on and who else will be brought in to strengthen the squad, because if the club plays next season with as few players as this then it’s going to be another struggle, however talented the individuals might be? Rage Online has our own ideas about which positions need strengthening, which is all of them (except possibly goalkeeper should Richard Knight be signed on). Obviously this is dependent to some extent on whether such players as Joey Beauchamp and Rob Folland are retained, in which case, with Derek Lilley, the right side of midfield is probably okay. However central defence, right and left back (especially if Paul Powell is sold), left and central midfield, and up front are all positions where United have either been lacking or where there is not enough competition for places.

Rage Online would like Mark Watson, Beauchamp, Folland, and Eddie Newton to be given new contracts. This would mean that Smith would have to find new centre backs and a new right back as a priority. Stating the obvious there is also the need for a goalscorer proven at Division Two level, although where he is going to come from with no money for transfer fees or competitive wages is difficult to tell. If United can keep hold of Powell then left midfield should be okay, but Neil McGowan’s injury problems and lack of pace means that the left back position could do with some cover. It’s not an impossible task, especially given Smith’s contacts in the game, but it is going to be difficult to persuade decent players to come to the Manor when the future of the club itself remains in doubt, especially when the wages are going to be lower than might be on offer elsewhere.

Rage Online will endeavour to keep everyone up to date with events over the close season, both politically concerning the new stadium and sportingly concerning transfers etc. Don’t go away, you might miss something!