Press Conference...

[Myles Francis]

Probably somewhere between the two!

Possibly skint partly because good youth product etc etc and so on and so forth!

[Joey's Toe]

The club has now put a statement on the website:

I am here to today to review the past season, on which more shortly, and to announce that the Board of Oxford United has decided to re-appoint Chris Wilder as Manager of Oxford United.

I am fully aware that many supporters, perhaps even a majority of supporters, have been expecting me to make a different decision. That is understandable. After three years of good progress under Chris’s Management, the last 14 months have seen that upward curve flatten out and the stated target this year of promotion has been missed.

In the circumstances, therefore, the easy decision would have been to dismiss Chris - the easy decision but, in the view of the Board, the wrong one.

I have not been slow to change Managers in the past when I felt that that decision was in the best interests of a club. Both here at Oxford (twice) and at Wigan Warriors (once) I have made the decision to part company with Managers I liked and respected because I felt that a fundamental change was necessary. However, this time we believe the situation to be very different.

We are convinced that, in Chris Wilder, Oxford United has a young Manager of high promise who is about to reach his potential, having learned some valuable - if painful - lessons over the last two years in the areas of player recruitment and dealing with fans. Having lived through some of those painful lessons recently with him, I am clear in my own mind that we at Oxford are about to reap the rewards.

Chris’s achievements at Oxford are already considerable, and should be noted. We are 30 places higher in football’s pyramid since he took over as manager four-and-a-half years ago. He ensured that this great Club is once again a Football League Club and respected by other clubs as a place where things are done properly.

His work ethic is without question his understanding of the game from a technical and tactical viewpoint is widely acknowledged in football as I hear consistently when I speak to other senior people in the sport.

That is not to say that gratitude for the past is the reason we have made our decision. It is simply to recognise that, for a young Manager, Chris has already demonstrated considerable acumen and achieved significant successes and, importantly, has learned lessons as a Manager from the failings of the past two years. Add that acumen and learned experience to a stronger base here at Oxford United - with the Sports Science department and the Academy now firing on all cylinders ¬- and both he and we strongly believe that the upward curve we saw in Chris Wilder’s first three years at OUFC is about to be resumed.

In the unanimous opinion of the Board, it would be an emotional decision – not a rational or business decision – to change the Manager at this time, when success is potentially within reach. Far wiser to retain the Manager, refresh the squad where clearly needed and build upon the existing strengths and lessons learned in order to achieve next year the further 10 points or more needed for promotion.

In detail terms: Chris Wilder has accepted a new 12-month fixed-term contract with an option in favour of the Club to extend the contract further, on defined terms, if it chooses to.

Before moving on to my next important area, let me just say that I am always conscious when referring to my experiences with Wigan, that some Oxford supporters think it shows that I’m more of a rugby man than a football man.

I only refer to Wigan because I’ve been driving Wigan forward for six years and the experiences are relevant and valid. At Wigan too, we made some decisions that were unpopular with fans and supporters three or four years ago. Now, happily, those decisions are perceived to have been the right ones, with Wigan profitable and currently at the top of Super League for the second year running whilst regularly putting out 11 local lads onto the pitch.

That last point is a critical part of the Board’s future vision for Oxford United as a Club which understands that it is Oxfordshire’s professional sports club. We want Oxfordshire people to be proud of the club to feel proud of Oxfordshire youngsters coming through into the game and, as fans, to feel bound to their club by these strong local and family ties.

That is why the Board – and especially my son, Simon – have spent so much time and money in recent years investing in the Youth and Community Trust. The fruits of that effort are now beginning to show with the Youth and Ladies teams having an excellent season whilst - for the first time in over a decade -next season will see almost 25% of the Oxford United first-team squad having come from the Academy ranks.

Nor does it look like stopping there.

Chris Allen’s Youth Team has had a fantastic season doing well in the FA Youth Cup and having been only narrowly pipped for their League title. Many of the players in Chris’s team were only first-year apprentices who will be looking for an even better second-year to put them in line for professional contracts this time next year.

With the greater opportunities arising for Oxford United as a result of other clubs choosing to scale back their Youth Development, it is the Board’s belief that Youth Development is the best strategy to support Oxford United’s further progression up the League pyramid.

I am happy to say that Chris Wilder supports this strategy entirely.

Let me turn now to a review of this season at first-team level. I became Chairman of the club into the season on July 13th. I have been working hard since then to understand all facets of the organisation. I have travelled all over the country to watch the team on 38 occasions so I’ve shared the frustrations - and some moments of joy - with those loyal fans who spend considerable amounts of money and time following the team home and away.

It became clear to me before the start of the season, and was reinforced in September that our injury problems were a mountainous obstacle to overcome. Some of our best players were absent for very long periods. To give an example, anyone who has seen Andy Whing play recently will probably appreciate just how valuable an asset he would have been during those long winter months. At one point, almost half of our entire wages budget was being paid to players who were in the treatment room. Given that situation, it would have been a remarkable achievement if we had actually managed to sneak into the play-offs. Unfortunately, we didn’t!

Understanding the importance of fitness and medical science, the Board invested nearly £200,000 last summer in creating a top-class Sports Science function at the club. The Board knew full well that the investment would come too late for players who were already injured for long periods. But we were determined that we would not find ourselves in the same situation again of competing with one hand behind our backs!

I believe that the club will now start to see the benefits, both in terms of a decline in long-term injury incidence but also in terms of selecting which players we bring to the club and in building a refreshed squad able to cope with the rigours of a League 2 season.

That said - there have been numerous positives to take from the season. We performed credibly in Cup competitions. We demonstrated at some of the better clubs in the division that we have the class to out-play any side at this level. The captain Jake Wright had an outstanding season. Other players such as Alfie Potter continued to progress: scoring more than 10 goals and operating in a variety of positions as required.

Meanwhile, both Ty Marsh and Max Crocombe were blooded into the first team, and demonstrated that – given plenty of further hard work – they have the ability to perform at senior level.

The bottom line, though, is that we’re about 10 points off where we’d have liked to have been at this stage. Those are largely points that were dropped in September and October when we were struggling to get a fit team out on the pitch.

The challenge, then, for next season is to make all the improvements we can to bridge that gap and to be successful.

Let me be absolutely clear: it will not be straightforward or easy. Promotion remains the clear target, but for us to achieve that we will have to out-perform our salary budget which is around the seventh highest in this league. However, my instincts, beliefs and experience - drawn from both sport and business - tell me that promotion is eminently achievable provided everyone plays their part.

We on the Board must make the right decisions as to where to invest. Chris Wilder must select the right players to come in and improve the squad. The young lads we have signed as professionals must work hard and improve their skills to break into the first team.

And, of course, the fans and supporters of Oxford United must come out and support us!

This desire to see all parts of the club pulling together as one is why we have chosen as our slogan ‘United We Stand’.

It is because we now have a club worthy of Oxfordshire. A club that is once again ready to achieve. But it is so, so much more likely to happen:

• When we are United behind our goals
• When we are United behind our players
• When we are United behind our Manager

History suggests that when Oxford United stands united, success follows.

Thank you.

Ian Lenagan, Chairman

[Myles Francis]

I do have my doubts about sticking with Wilder, but have to say that I think that statement is fantastic and clearly sets out the rationale for keeping him.

[Joey's Toe]

Having read the statement properly, it is a well-articulated and well-reasoned defence of a difficult decision. As I said on p1, personally I would have said 'thanks and goodbye' to Wilder - but it's a marginal decision either way, and I can respect those making the argument for keeping him.

A few sentences leap out at me from the statement:

We are convinced that, in Chris Wilder, Oxford United has a young Manager of high promise

At 45, and with approaching ten years' experience as a manager and coach, how much longer can he be referred to as a 'young' manager?

I am always conscious when referring to my experiences with Wigan, that some Oxford supporters think it shows that I’m more of a rugby man than a football man.

Interesting to see the chairman acknowledge the criticism - although, intriguingly, he doesn't really say anything to successfully rebut the accusation.

I believe that the club will now start to see the benefits [of the sport science investment] in terms of selecting which players we bring to the club

An implicit acknowledgement of last season's failings in bringing in players who were clearly crocked without (alegedly) even bothering with medicals. I'm surprised that no-one was let go for such a basic oversight.

[It] is the Board’s belief that Youth Development is the best strategy to support Oxford United’s further progression... I am happy to say that Chris Wilder supports this strategy entirely.

Do we believe this? Not sure I do, given how reluctant he has been to play home-grown talent in the past and his clear preference for short-term untested loan players.


The points above aren't necessarily criticisms of the decision, but are simply talking points. As far as I'm concerned, Wilder has been given an extension, the Chairman has justified it in terms which are credible (even if we may not all agree), and the manager deserves time to deliver on the expectations which have been set out. But the points above are interesting ones to debate...

[neilw]

A credible chairman who is prepared to do what he believes to be right. I like that. Only time will tell if this is the right decision. I've a feeling it might just be, providing the masses are realistic with expectations, given our clear financial limitations.

[SmileyMan]

A clear and unequivocal statement. Whatever you may think of Lenagan, he clearly knows how to do PR. Got a bit cheesy towards the end with the United We Stand bit, but I don't think I was the intended audience for that.

So, we've got Wilder for another year, and a few of his more obvious failings are being addressed (signing crocked players, expensive useless loanees, and being scared of playing the young 'uns).

That's good enough for me, so I'll back the team and it's management for another year, at least until promotion becomes impossible.

[Radley Rambler]

My cynical view is that if the Board had sacked Wilder, they would have had to pay him for a year anyway (the rolling contract piece) and that this has basically morphed into the new 12 month fixed term contract. Benefit to club, a saving - benefit to Wilder - 12 months to prove himself further and earn an extension/another managerial position elsewhere. That said, all the very best to him for the next 12 months.

Godalming Yellow - IL suggests that we have the 7th largest salary budget in the division, I recall a lengthy debate on this subject recently on this Forum

[Kernow Yellow]

A good statement, certainly. I don't necessarily share IL's confidence that CW will progress us now that the injury situation has been addressed - after all we fell apart badly at the end of this season, with a truly shocking run of form against some mediocre opposition, when the vast majority of our first-choice players were available. IL's frequent references to 'the board' and their 'unanimous decision' irritate me slightly too, when what he means is him and one and a half of his sons.

But at least we know where we stand. Lenagan has set out his reasons and his expectations with refreshing clarity, and I respect and understand them. And at least we now know for sure that if things start going badly next season, it will get cheaper to sack Wilder as each day goes by

[GodalmingYellow]

Godalming Yellow - IL suggests that we have the 7th largest salary budget in the division, I recall a lengthy debate on this subject recently on this Forum

And?

A number of IL's figures have previously, and very recently, been shown to be somewhat less than accurate, so whilst I would acknowledge that it may read that I'm not prepared to accept another view, I am very suspicious of IL's stats now.

Looking at those teams who will (or are very likely to) finish above us, I would think there are only 3 or maybe 4 at most, with higher budgets than us. The fact is that Wilder has not spent our budget at all well.

[GodalmingYellow]

This has become the normal type of Lenagan announcement.

He is clearly not remotely afraid of doing what he believes to be right, which is a very good thing, provided that what he believes to be right is indeed right!

My take on the statement is that Wilder has been told that the club cannot afford the losses and Lenagan is not prepared to keep funding them (quite rightly) and so if Wilder wants to stay, he will have to accept 25% of the squad coming through the ranks, and embrace that policy by playing those players where possible. That to me is a very good thing, because there is no point having a youth set up just for the sake of it. There has to be usable and used output otherwise it is pointless and costly.

Lenagan claims to be backing his man, but has offered him a bare minimum 1 year fixed term contract. A succeed or be damned contract.

Personally I think it is the wrong decision for the club as I don't believe Wilder has the capability to get us promoted, but if Wilder has to stay, the structure of this new arrangement is perhaps the only way to ensure that if Wilder is not successful, the club is not damaged further as a result.

The next big step will be to see which players are retained and which are released, as this will be critical to next season.

Is there a thread which shows who is out of contract at the end of this season?

[YF Dan]

Wilder has moved from being a lucky man to being an extremely Spawny Get (for those that remember Viz). He can have absolutely no complaints ever about his chairman, whose patience is almost saintly.

I do think there's an lot of truth in what Radley R says, and for once I also find myself agreeing with Kernow, a truly novel experience.

Although I wanted a change of management, I'm not wholly opposed to today's announcement, especially with what is a really refreshingly honest and impressive statement.

It's clear that IL is aware of Wilder's failings, has clearly made Wilder aware of them, and has given him one last chance to address them. That isn't bad management - it's many ways it's quite positive.

As a punishment, Wilder's had his rolling contract turned into a 12-month fixed term, with the club holding the cards regarding extending it. Fair dos. Good business by the club and clearly removes any room for complacency from Wilder, who now won't get a pay-off if things don't work out.

The emphasis on youth is a good thing. The sport science should be a good thing. I like the fact we're not going to spunk money away on silly signings. You can't see Lenagan signing the cheques for any silly loanees next season. This may - finally - make Wilder work with what he's got.

Wilder's lucky. He's definitely in the last chance saloon. Maybe it will be the making of him. I hope so.

[x586]

It will be interesting to see - next season - how we get on against Mansfield, and if over the summer that club shed the OUFC alumni who got them up with such panache this season. It's an interesting statement from IL - logical, reflective and intelligent. Reading between the lines, I'd guess the 'painful' bit was dismantling the side that got us up, and then playing a game of diminishing returns with a stack of underwhelming loanees (as per YF Dan's 'on the nail' posting on here a couple of weeks ago) and the recruitment of players with significant fitness problems. I seem to remember that Denis Smith got accused of much the same thing with some of the players recruited for what I thought then (prior to 2005-6) was surely our season from hell - the relegation side of 2000-2001.

It's up to Accrington with Dr Bob for my last viewing of United for what is probably going to be many years - emigration beckons. Hopefully I'll be spared the usual booby prize of watching whacko formations ship 30 yard worldies. But - CW always pulls out the stops when I see them. We shall see ...

[Zeke]

The primary concern I have is the 1 year contract being given to Wilder. Considering that the bulk of the first team will turn over, we're looking at least 10 new pros IMO and most of them are not going to sign 1 year deals. If Wilder is out by this time next year, will we not then have the bulk of the team under contract with a new manager who will want to change things about form a personnel perspective? And will Wilder's lack of contract security deter any players from wanting to sign?

It's a significant risk in my opinion. He should've either been given a 2 year deal or gotten sacked.

[Paul Cooper]

I wonder why IL decided to relay this information today?

Interesting. As others have said it is clearly on IL's terms and CW is in last chance saloon. IF we are to have the 7th largest budget in the league, then CW will have a lot of cash to play with (on the basis that Leven, Duberry, Smalley, Craddock, Capaldi will presumably be off).

So I have 2 major concerns. On is that CW spends the money sensibly and puts together a fit and hungry squad (with strikers who can score- oh and a couple of players who can take a corner and free kick). The other is that he will use the Youth players when there are injuries (and when they are ready to play anyway). None of this playing Capaldi and O'Brien in midfield. I wonder how clearly Il has put this to CW? To me it seems very clear that CW does not trust the younger players (didn't he recently even say that playing younger players in the end of season games is 'not fair to the senior players')? So can a Loepard change it's spots? I am sure that IL has said no loanees when you refuse to play the youger players, but I still worry that if Potter gets injured a Heslop replacement will be preferred to one of the younger lads.

Il has presumably saved £125K (or whatever has been suggested) on not sacking CW. And if Wilder leaves next season this amount will reduce. CW is in last chnace saloon and he must feel a lucky man. So maybe he will realise that he has little choice. Maybe though he will feel pushed into a corner and will be off as soon as he is able to?

I wonder what Melville and Lewis situations are? A new coach may give a little more spark if possible.

[ty cobb]

Fair play to IL for putting out a logical well thought through argument for why we should keep him, he didn't have to do this, indeed many chairman wouldn't try and justify their decision in this way - nice and open and hopefully placate some of the people who were so against Wilder - seems to have worked to some degree judging by some of the comments on here.

I think it's fair giving him another season, as IL said, he's not afraid to pull the trigger when it is justified and with Wilder, whilst an argument could have been made to get rid he is still one of our most successful managers ever with a win ratio of 46% (compared to D Smith 39%, Horton 31%, J Smith 49%, Patto 40%, Kemp 22%, Atkins 39%) and I still think we would have regretted getting rid of him.

He has turned us from a mid table conference team looking upwards to a mid table league 2 team looking upwards. Can he take us to the next step - well at least we'll find out one way or the other.