Oxford Utd

McAllister and Murray join Oxford
Oxford United have completed a double signing with the captures of Grays Athletic striker Craig McAllister and Macclesfield midfielder Adam Murray. McAllister, 27, has spent most of his career at Blue Square Premier level, playing for numerous clubs. Murray, 26, started out with Premier League side Derby County and also played for Notts County, Torquay, Mansfield and Kiddersminster. Both players go into the squad for Saturday's game with Altrincham.

Turley targets Oxford promotion
Oxford United goalkeeper Billy Turley has reiterated his ambition to return to the Football League after signing a contract extension earlier in the week. The former Rushden player said: "I don't think I have played my last Football League game. I'm not a mid-table player. I want promotion." The 34-year-old joined Oxford in 2005 and was in the side that was relegated to the Conference a year later. Turley has signed a deal with United until 2010.

Patterson eyes transfer activity
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson says he is hopeful of bringing in new players this week. Patterson praised the effort and application of his team in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Exeter, but refused to blame lack of experience for the result. He said: "At least they gave it a go for the full 90 minutes this week - not 45 or 60 as we have had recently. "I've had so many knock-backs in the last week but it does look as if it will be a different team on Saturday."

Ex-captain expects U's to recover
Former Oxford United captain Chris Hargreaves says his old club will come right - but it will take time. Hargreaves left the club at the end of last season and joined Torquay. He watched the U's lose at Exeter to slip down to 15th place but backed new Oxford boss Darren Patterson to have a positive impact on the form. He said: "Darren needs time to change this around. I think it's over for Oxford for this season, the important time for him will be in the summer." Despite United's plummet after finishing second last season, Hargreaves insists there is no need to panic. "It's a fantastic club with fantastic supporters who have a real passion. You might worry about some clubs in Oxford's position, but I don't fear for them. It will get the good times back. "Unfortunately now Oxford fans are going to have to suffer. But there's a good man at the helm and I am sure he can turn it around."

Duffy provides U's transfer cash
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson says he will use the wage freed up by Rob Duffy's loan move to Wrexham to bring in a new striker. Duffy joined the League Two strugglers on a one-month deal earlier this week. Patterson told BBC Radio Oxford: "I'm pleased for Rob. It's a fresh opportunity for him which he needs to take." Duffy has netted 24 goals from 47 conference appearances for Oxford, but has struggled with form this season.

Oxford part company with Robinson
Striker Marvin Robinson has left Oxford United by mutual consent. The 27-year-old joined Oxford last season from Macclesfield but was hampered by injury and went on loan to Cambridge United in September 2007. Robinson was involved in a car accident in October 2007 and is still recovering from the injuries he sustained. Oxford boss Darren Patterson said: "We are sorry for what has happened to Marvin. We hope he recovers and is able to resume his career." Robinson scored three goals in 30 appearances for United but he started just 12 games.

Patterson looks to bolster squad
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has suggested that he may take advantage of the loan system to add more faces to his squad. Blue Square Premier clubs can make loan signings from the end of the week, and Patterson hopes to be in the market to lift his side up from mid-table. "There's a little gap we might be able to sneak through," Patterson told SSB. "We have identified the players we still want to bring in."

Patterson keeps heads held high
Oxford United manager Darren Patterson is refusing to be downhearted despite Tuesday's 2-1 defeat by Cambridge. Patterson's side sit 15th in the table after Lee Boylan scored twice, with Matthew Green netting for Oxford. "We'll not drop our heads, we are pleased with how we are going," Patterson told SSB. "Now we are now competitive in every game, that's positive. Yes we need to improve but we won't be downhearted by this." The Us host play-off chasing Burton Albion on Saturday at the Kassam Stadium.

Patterson 'embarrassed' by defeat
Oxford United boss Darren Patterson has said he can understand why fans turned on him and the team after Saturday's 3-0 defeat by Burton Albion. He told SSB: "I am the manager, I picked the team. I take total responsibility for the defeat. "As soon as the first goal went in, everyone was just walking around. I apologise . "Our fans have been magnificent and I can only say sorry to them. It was embarrassing. It was inept." Patterson added: "It's unacceptable and it's something I have to sort out. The only positive is so many of our team are on loan. Too many of them went missing."

Green wanted permanently at U's
Oxford United will attempt to make striker Matt Green's loan move from Cardiff City a permanent one. Green scored the winner against Blue Square Premier rivals Stevenage - his sixth goal for Oxford - giving the U's a third win in nine days. Oxford boss Darren Patterson told SSB: "I have had a preliminary chat with the boy. "We know we will face competition to sign him permanently, but I had competition to sign him on loan."

Odubade hopes to be off list soon
Oxford United's transfer-listed striker Yemi Odubade says he is desperate to stay at the club. The 23-year-old scored the first goal in United's 5-1 rout of Farsley Celtic on Saturday and says he has no desire to leave the Kassam Stadium. "Oxford's the best team you could play for," he said. "I didn't want to be on the list, but if it was to give me a kick up the backside it's worked." Boss Darren Patterson added: "It's good to see him on form and smiling." Patterson said that every transfer-listed player is being given a chance to make him reverse that decision. And he was thrilled with Odubade's performance against Farsley. He said: "Every one at this football club wants to see Yemi running at defenders like that and scoring goals and I am delighted for him. He's a real good kid."

Green disappointed to be on bench
On-loan Oxford striker Matt Green admits he sulked after being left out of the starting line-up to face Farsley Celtic at the weekend. The 20-year-old Cardiff City frontman came off the bench to score twice in the 5-1 victory on Saturday. He said: "I have a bit of an ego and I want to play every game. "I respect the gaffer's decision. I might blank him because I am angry, but he has been a player himself and knows it's part of football."

Hand hints at permanent transfer
On-loan Lincoln midfielder Jamie Hand has hinted he would like the chance to make the move to Oxford permanent. After winning praise for his display in the 2-1 win at Woking, Hand told SSB: "It's a performance that I know I am capable of week-in week-out. "I am enjoying my football and I'm happy. I will be giving my all until the end of the season. "It's a club I am very fond of, but we will sit down at the end of the season and take it from there." Hand started his second loan spell at United in February more than three years after his first. The former England youth international was at Oxford for 12 matches in 2004 when he was loaned out by Watford. Hand has made over 160 league appearances for Watford, the U's, Livingston, Peterborough, Huddersfield, Northampton, Chester and Lincoln. Meanwhile, United boss Darren Patterson is happy with his side after their third victory in a row. He said: "The shape and discipline is good and we look like scoring goals."

Oxford not looking to sell Foster
Oxford United chairman Nick Merry has dismissed suggestions that the club are looking to cash in on player of the year Luke Foster. The 22-year-old defender, who suffered severe bruising to his knee in the 3-1 win at Ebbsfleet on Saturday, has been linked with Coventry and Cardiff. But Merry told SSB that they were not looking to sell in any case. "We are trying to build something here," he said. "Luke is a big part of our plans for next season." Meanwhile, Merry has said that season ticket prices for next season would be announced by the end of this week, as would the club's list of retained players.

Green move shows 'little respect'
Oxford United say striker Matt Green had twice verbally agreed to join them before a last-minute decision to sign for Blue Square Premier rivals Torquay. "I don't appreciate anyone showing Oxford United so little respect," said U's manager Darren Patterson. "Fortunately we have other targets, and have continued to talk to other strikers who are as good or better." Green, 21, who had two loan spells with the U's last season, has admitted he joined Torquay for financial reasons. Patterson explained that he felt the offer made to Green was a realistic one, given the injury problems the striker had experienced. "In truth we were prepared to take a gamble on Matt and had made what we felt was a very fair offer considering the issues with his knees. "He never was able to train during the week for much of the time he was with us, and his medical problems had been fairly well publicised. "The report we had regarding Matt from a top knee specialist wasn't exactly glowing, and that was reflected when we made Matt our offer. "There was a little bit of negotiation but then Matt verbally accepted the offer. He said he was coming in to sign so we had a meeting set up. "His agent was there, everything was in order, but he phoned to say he was joining Torquay." 'Ambitious person' Green, who scored 10 goals while on loan at the U's, praised Patterson. "Darren Patterson is a very ambitious person, like myself. "He has got to do the best that he can with his budget and I am sure that he will." Patterson reassured supporters that he has not been concentrating on signing Green alone. "There are some very exciting players who would love the chance to play here but we will be patient and make sure they are the right players for this club. "We will continue to build a squad that is totally united for the coming season."

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