League leaders Oxford United are the R Costings Abbey Stadium visitors this evening as the desperate search for points and a first league victory in more than three months continues for Martin Ling's men.
The possibility of being dumped in the relegation zone once Chester's appeal process has expired or, any subsequent appeal dealt with, should sufficiently motivate the men in black and amber, but the task will be a tough one with Chris Wilder's men having lost just three league games away from home this season. Oxford, as oppose to the Mighty U's, will benefit from Chester's plight and may find their lead over second placed Stevenage extended to six points should any unexpected appeal fail.
Regardless of this, the Oxford hierarchy are determined to overcome the hurdle of clinching Football League promotion, and have equipped Wilder with an envious budget. Several high-profile signings have boosted the squad, with financial clout highlighted further in the past fortnight thanks to the loan signings of in-form Aldershot striker John Grant, who decided on drop into the Blue Square Premier, and Coventry winger Ashley Cain.
The arrival of both was due in part to the 'Twelfth Man' fund founded by supporters to boost the transfer kitty and, so far, the investment is paying dividends. Nevertheless, they will be mindful of the way their side capitulated during the 2006/07 campaign following relegation the previous season. Like now, they sat at the league summit, but a terrible mid-season run of thirteen winless games meant Jim Smith's side had to settle for the play-offs. Agonisingly, momentum was never rediscovered and, despite a 1-0 first leg away win at Exeter, they were beaten on penalties and faced another term of non-league football.
2007/08 proved inconsistent thanks to a reduced budget dictating squad restructuring, and by the turn of the year United were down in fifteenth place, so Smith joined the Board of Directors and former player Darren Paterson took over as Manager. He guided the club to ten wins in their remaining twelve games, but it was a case of too little too late, and they eventually finished ninth.
2008/09 mirrored the previous season and by the turn of the year Paterson had departed following poor results. By Boxing Day the other U's were fourteenth courtesy of a disappointing away record reading eight defeats and just two wins. Ex-Halifax boss Chris Wilder signed on at the Kassam Stadium after a spell as Assistant Manager with League Two side Bury, and his arrival saw a swift upturn in fortunes.
Remarkably, just two league defeats followed after the New Year as momentum was gained and hopes of clinching a play-off spot were high. Nevertheless, as with 2007/08 they fell short and a 2-1 home loss to Northwich on the last day of the campaign ended dreams. They eventually finished four points adrift of fifth place, so will look back in frustration at a five point deduction incurred earlier in the campaign for fielding an ineligible player. Therefore, they will be as determined as ever to succeed this season.
Tuesday's meeting will be the 30th between us, with our visitors hold bragging rights thanks to ten victories marginally bettering nine for the Mighty U's. Our first encounter was at the Manor Ground in September 1961; the Southern League clash seeing goals from Sam McCrory and Jimmy Gibson secure the amber U's a 2-2 draw.
Our inaugural match at the Abbey in February 1962 concluded with Alan Moore's men recording a 2-1 win over the Champions elect, courtesy of Dennis Woods and another McCrory strike. Overall at the Abbey their have been fourteen games, seven of which ended in home wins. Oxford have recorded two away victories, whilst the remaining five games finished level. Our last encounter in January 2009 concluded with a 1-1 draw thanks to Paul Carden's 30-yard Goal of the Month rocket sealing a home point for Gary Brabin's men.
The Squad
Just three players departed Oxford during the close-season, whilst the eleven arriving in return re-enforced their strength. One new arrival was goalkeeper Ryan Clarke, who signed from Northwich and, whilst being a virtual ever present this term, has kept an impressive twenty clean sheets. However, Clarke is doubtful for Oxford's trip to the Abbey after being substituted through injury in last week's 2-0 home victory over Wimbledon, so experienced second choice Billy Turley may appear.
The defence corps are lead by centre-half Mark Creighton, although, with Wilder using three different formations of late his place is not guaranteed; likewise the remainder of the back-line. The commanding 28-year old, who made over 150 appearances for Kidderminster prior to signing on at the Kassam Stadium in May, could be accompanied tonight by Brighton loanee Jake Wright.
The former Crawley man joined in January and competes for his place with Rhys Day, who won a Conference winners medal whilst with Aldershot in 2008. Vying for a right sided full-back slot will be ex-Grays man Damian Batt and former Sheffield United youth Adam Chapman, whilst the opposite flank will be filled by either Kevin Sandwith, who has served time at Carlisle, Doncaster, Lincoln, Macclesfield, Chester and Weymouth, or some chap called Anthony Tonkin. Now where have we heard his name before?!
Influential Club Captain Adam Murray could miss out with a back injury, so his place may be taken by Dannie Bulman, who brings experience from over 400 career appearances to the side. Regardless of whether the central midfield formation facilitates two or three personnel, Chris Hargreaves is likely to figure following his January switch from Torquay.
Veteran Hargreaves, who U's fans will painfully recall scoring for the Gulls at Wembley last May, is enjoying his second spell at the Kassam and will prove vital in the seasonal run-in. Ex-Bristol City man Simon Clist could also start against United. On the flanks Wilder will probably call upon Adam Chapman and Sam Deering. Right-sided Chapman, also comfortable in defence, graduated from the Sheffield United youth scheme, whilst 19-year old Deering has been in scintillating form since his elevation to the first team.
The youngster scored in Oxford's win over Histon two weeks ago so has an eye for goal, and his battle with Dan Gleeson will be one to watch this evening. Back up in the wide areas comes from the aforementioned Ashley Cain whilst the exciting Alfie Potter, on loan from Peterborough, is sidelined by a long-term hamstring injury.
Wilder boasts a plethora of riches in the striking department, with no less than seven strikers joining the payroll since last April. James Constable is the first name on Wilder's team sheet having pocketed an impressive twenty-one goals this term. The former Kidderminster man played for Oxford on loan from Shrewsbury last season and bulged the net 23 times. He also scooped the Blue Square Premier Player of the Year award in addition to picking up two similar gongs at Oxford, and led the line for England C several times.
No wonder then that Wilder moved quickly to seal a permanent transfer. Jack Midson, Jamie Cook and Matt Green all share the responsibility of partnering Constable. Midson made the switch from Histon in June and has added to last season's twenty-goal haul with a further eight for Oxford, whilst Torquay man Green, another to sign a season long loan, has eleven. Cook began the season at Crawley, scoring three goals in six starts, but moved to the Kassam in August.
The 30-year old was a youth at Oxford before spells with Boston, Stevenage and Rushden and has plundered sixty career goals, including four in sixteen since returning to his roots. Wilder has boosted competition further with the signing of Francis Green from Kettering and, as above, John Grant from Aldershot. Green was unsettled at Kettering so Wilder swooped for his signature in January following a short loan spell and, although the former Peterborough man has just one goal to his name since arriving, a career record of 61 goals in 400 career appearances can not be ignored. Grant made his name at Aldershot, where he notched 53 goals in 119 starts and, along with defender Rhys Day, enjoyed promotion to the Football League in 2008.
This Season
As you would imagine, Oxford's league record makes impressive reading. The campaign began with a 2-1 home win over York thanks to late goals from Matt Green and Mark Creighton, and this proved the springboard for a handsome eleven game unbeaten run encompassing nine victories. Meanwhile, Constable was already on the goal trail and had bagged nine by mid-September. The mould was broken with a 2-1 loss at Mansfield but, as is always the sign of a good side, they bounced back with four wins and two draws in the next six games and sat eight points clear at the top of the table. Home fans also enjoyed a 1-0 FA Cup win over League One side Yeovil.
James Constable scored his 13th of the season against old club Kidderminster in mid-November, although it was not enough to prevent a 3-1 loss, but Wilder's men again bounced back with four straight wins. Progress was made in the FA Trophy after victories over Woking and Hayes & Yeading, but they missed out on a glamour FA Cup tie at Sunderland after succumbing to a 3-1 defeat at Barrow. The Trophy trail also went cold after a 2-1 home defeat to Kidderminster.
A first home league reverse of the campaign against Tamworth dented confidence, whilst in-form Stevenage took over at the top, but they have since regained the lead thanks to four wins and a draw in six matches. The only blip proving a min-boggling loss at Luton when, after being 1-0 in front with 93 minutes on the clock, they somehow conceded two goals to finish with a 2-1 defeat. Promotion for Oxford this year? You wouldn't bet against it.
Doug Shulman
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