Oxford Utd

Oxford Utd
Oxford manager Brian Talbot has told out-of-contract midfielders Paul Wanless, 31, and Danny Brown, 24, that they will not be offered new deals. Talbot said: "They're great lads. I'll do my best to find them new clubs." And 21-year-old keeper Simon Cox, who has made just two starts this season, is available on a free transfer. But Talbot says he is in discussions with midfielder Jamie Brooks, 21, strikers Tommy Mooney, 33, and Steve Basham, 27, about new contracts.

Basham agrees new Oxford terms
Oxford United striker Steve Basham has agreed a new two-year contract. The former Southampton and Preston forward, 27, has scored 34 goals in 102 starts for the League Two side since signing in August 2002. "We've had our ups and downs here in the last three years and it's about time we brought some success to the club." Basham told Oxford's website. Meanwhile, talks are continuing with Tommy Mooney and his agent about a new deal for the 33-year-old goalscorer.

New one-year deals for Oxford duo
Oxford striker Jamie Brooks, 21, and defender Lee Molyneux, 22, have signed new one-year contracts with the club. The life-threatening Guillain-Barre Syndrome and a knee injury meant Brooks missed large chunks of last season. But he said: "I still have confidence that I have the ability to do it and will try to prove that next season. I'm looking forward to getting fit." Academy players Bradie Clarke, Paul Burton and Tom Winters have also been handed professional deals by United.

Talbot eyes stability and success
Oxford owner Firoz Kassam is a man in a hurry for success - and new boss Brian Talbot believes he can deliver it. Talbot was handed his third managerial job in little over a year earlier this month and was immediately told to achieve Championship football in two years. Somewhat ambitious for a club which has become accustomed to mediocrity in League Two. But Talbot is undaunted, telling BBC Sport: "Pressure is an overused word. "If the club is going forward Mr Kassam will be pleased. I know he wants promotion but I've won the league at this level and know it quite well." The former West Brom boss left his post at Rushden & Diamonds for Oldham in March 2004. But it was a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire - swapping the financial problems and on-field struggles at Nene Park for Boundary Park. It has hardly been a bed of roses at the Kassam Stadium either with Ian Atkins, Graham Rix and Ramon Diaz all departing in the past year. Oxford have struggled in the lower divisions since falling from their lofty position of top-flight football 17 years ago and Kassam appears anxious to make up for lost time. "I got a phone call to say he would be interested in meeting me. I went to meet him that evening and he offered me the job the next day," Talbot explained. "Mr Kassam made up his mind quickly. He doesn't want to keep changing managers and is desperate for success. "He's a very clever businessman but I think in the past he's made mistakes with appointments and is trying to get it right." Far from playing down expectations, Talbot is happy to talk them up and he believes Kassam will give him the financial backing to meet them. "They have a lovely stadium and immense crowd potential for this level," the 51-year-old explained. "They have underachieved by playing at this level. They shouldn't be in League Two - they should be at least one level up. "The chairman is keen for success and is prepared to spend on wages. We have to stop the negative vibes and there has to be stability at this club." Striker Steve Basham is the type of English player Talbot wants One of Talbot's first tasks was to sort out a venue for his players to train at - the club does not have a permanent training ground and will be using the facilities of two Oxford University colleges next season. He also had to establish a scouting system because the club was relying on an internet service to monitor opponents. The United manager then set about laying down some disciplinary guidelines for players who had been left dizzy by the whirl of managerial arrivals and exits. "You have to wonder what advice the chairman was getting. Things have been overlooked in the past which I can put right," Talbot explained. "Players want to have direction and want to know what's required of them, what's right and wrong. They like organisation. "I've worked with Bobby Robson, Don Howe, Graham Taylor. They all had first-class qualities and I'd like to think if it was good enough for them it's good enough for me." When Diaz and the rest of his Argentinian management team left, a plethora of foreign players also departed. Talbot believes the squad needs to have an English core to stand any chance of climbing out of League Two. "No disrespect to them and I'm not being rude to Oxford but the foreigners you get at this level are not the best and are not from the best countries in the world," he said. "You won't get a top French international playing in League Two. "In a position like this you need people who can do a job and the people who know the job best at this level are English because they've been at this level all their lives." So fans can expect plenty more comings and goings at the Kassam Stadium. But Talbot insists he does not plan to head towards the exit door for a while yet. "In the long-term it will be nice to get a team into the Championship, get the stadium finished and have our own training ground," the former Arsenal and England midfielder added. "I would like to do what I did at Rushden & Diamonds - I developed the club and moved it forward. When I joined we were only training two nights a week. "I haven't come here thinking I'm only going to be around for three to four months. I'm thinking I'll be here for quite a while."

Oxford sign Northampton captain
Oxford have signed Northampton captain Chris Willmott on a Bosman-style free transfer, and he has agreed a two-year deal at the Kassam Stadium. The 27-year-old defender told Oxford's website: "I was told that Oxford were interested and came down for a meeting with (manager) Brian Talbot. "This is a new challenge for me, which I am looking forward to." Wilmott made 82 league appearances in two seasons at Sixfields, following spells with Luton and Wimbledon.

Mooney snubs new Oxford contract
Oxford striker Tommy Mooney has rejected the club's offer of a new contract on reduced terms. The 33-year-old scored 15 goals for the U's last season after joining from Swindon but he will now be leaving. "Tommmy was made a very good offer to stay here by the chairman but he didn't feel it was enough," boss Brian Talbot told the club's official website. "The offer was a drop in wages but in my opinion it was still very good - but not what Tommy was looking for."

Defender Roget released by Oxford
Defender Leo Roget has been told he has no future at Oxford United. New manager Brian Talbot is willing to let the 27-year-old centre-back leave immediately after bringing in Chris Willmott from Northampton. "I talked about one or two things with Leo and the outcome's a free transfer," Talbot told the club website. "It would be difficult for him to break into the team and at his age he wants first-team football so we'll circulate his name and see if there are takers."

Gray agrees Kassam Stadium switch
Oxford have signed midfielder Stuart Gray after he left Rushden & Diamonds. Gray, 31, was at Nene Park for four years and captained Diamonds last term, but he rejected a new deal to link up with ex-Rushden boss Brian Talbot. "When Brian made the call to me I was excited about working with him again. Oxford is a big club and with Brian at the helm it can be successful. "This is one of the biggest clubs in the division and hopefully we can go for promotion if we make a good start."

Wycombe complete Mooney transfer
Wycombe Wanderers boss John Gorman has signed Oxford striker Tommy Mooney, 33. Mooney, who was linked with Nottingham Forest, has agreed a two-year deal after rejecting the offer of a new contract at the Kassam Stadium. A delighted Gorman told the club's website: "He's been a prolific scorer in this league and the higher leagues. "He is a player I've always admired, he holds the ball up well and he'll give us that something we've not had. He is a great signing for the club."

Charlton keen on Oxford striker
Charlton are preparing a bid for Oxford United's Welsh Under-21 striker Craig Davies, reports BBC Radio Oxford. It is understood that Athletic expect to tie up a deal within the next week with a six-figure fee being mentioned. Oxford boss Brian Talbot acknowledged interest from a Premiership club saying: "We won't stand in Craig's way, but the deal has to be right for us." Davies, who started his career at Manchester City, scored six goals in 29 appearances for United last season.

Turley is ready for fresh start
New Oxford keeper Billy Turley is determined to put the nightmare of a drugs ban behind him. Turley, who has signed a 12-month deal, is serving the last few days of a six-month ban for taking cocaine. He said: "It was a drunken mistake, I wasn't trying to cheat and I've been itching to get back into football. "It's been killing me watching, and for seven weeks I was distraught. It's made me a stronger person and I'm looking forward to the start of the season."

Mansell leaves Luton for Oxford
Oxford United have signed Lee Mansell from Luton Town on a one-year deal after he impressed last season when he was with them on trial. Mansell, 22, made 50 appearances for the Hatters and can play either at right back or right midfield. "It's a relief to sign rather than having to prove myself somewhere in pre-season," he told the club website. "I'm really pleased to get the opportunity and am looking forward to the new challenge."

Talbot keen to get squad together
Oxford boss Brian Talbot reckons the introduction of transfer windows for League Two clubs will make it more important to start the season well. "There is a lot of talk," Talbot told the club's website. "If things go ahead we can't bring anyone in after 31 August until 1 January. "Everyone knows by Christmas or January, when you can get players, you have got to be up there in the pack. "So we are trying to get a squad together by 6 August."

Wilmott is angry with speculation
New Oxford defender Chris Wilmott has angrily denied speculation that he had agreed his move from Northampton before the end of last season. The 27-year-old moved on a Bosman free transfer last month after the Cobblers lost out in the League Two play-offs. But he told the Northampton Chronicle & Echo: "I've heard a few people say the deal had been done before I left Northampton, which isn't true. "I had no contact with Oxford while I was still involved with the play-offs." Wilmott has agreed a two-year deal at the Kassam Stadium.

Talbot transfer options 'limited'
Oxford boss Brian Talbot has admitted that his options are limited when it comes to bringing in new players. The ex-Oldham manager has brought four new faces to the Kassam Stadium in Billy turley, Lee Mansell, Chris Willmott and Stuart Gray. But he warned fans not to expect a glut of signings during the transfer window. "There is a wage cap now. You can only use 60% of your income on players' wages. We are already very close to that figure," he told Oxford's website.

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