Remarkable Turnaround for Andy Whing

Picture from OUFC.co.uk

Saturday's events were too depressing to dwell on at any great length, but there was one aspect that was greatly satisfying. As is customary before the final home match of the season, the Player of the Year Awards were announced, with Andy Whing winning the Andrew Knapton Supporters' Player of the Year award. This marks a notable turnaround for a player who we referred to as 'the much-maligned Andy Whing' back at the start of November.

What the Stats Say...Southend

No question about it, we need to win this one. Southend are the final visitors to the Kassam in the regular season and while failure to win could mean the end of our playoff hopes, the Shrimpers also need victory to maintain their hopes of automatic promotion. Matt Peck has been trawling (no pun intended) the archives to bring you the stats ahead of the game.

On Perry Deakin, Port Vale and Firoz Kassam

The recent reports that former Port Vale CEO Perry Deakin has been appointed as the new 'Stadium Manager' at the Kassam seems to have brought Vale's frenzied war between fans and directors to our doorstep. Vale fans are, understandably, indignant that the despised Deakin has been given another job after leaving Port Vale in administration. A look at the relevant thread on their One Vale Fan forum is revealing, including comments such as:

“Just as Vale, Oxford have not done their homework before they employed him”

“That'll be admin for Oxford next year then”

“I am pretty sure that the powers that be at Oxford have and will be brought up to date with Deakin's antics. It's then their call whether they want to risk employing someone of his calibre.”

What the Stats Say...Plymouth

Matt Peck returns to these pages to preview our trip to Plymouth Argyle in what could well be an incredibly important match at this late stage in the season. With playoff rivals Crewe and Cheltenham facing off today, we know that at least one of them will drop points, so this is our chance to capitalise. However, Home Park has not historically been a happy hunting ground...

In Profile: Wayne Brown

The sight of Ryan Clarke between the goalposts has become a familiar and reassuring one over recent years. His quiet, calm demeanour, assured performances and perennial presence in goal throughout his three seasons at the club have made Clarke our Mr Reliable. That is, of course, until now. In the latter stages of our roller-coaster Easter Monday clash with Torquay, Clarke appeared to be visibly carrying an injury and ended the game by parrying what appeared to be a routine save into his own net. Clarke's fitness was an issue of concern throughout the build-up to the Gillingham match, with our fears being confirmed on the morning of the match. Clarke was to miss his first league game for years.

His replacement, Wayne Brown, had not exactly covered himself in glory in his previous outing, getting sent off after just 14 minutes as United bowed out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to Southend. Any nagging anxieties were soon put to rest, however, once the match was under way. Brown put in an assured performance to keep a clean sheet, organising his defence well and launching several attacks through his pinpoint distribution. With some unofficial reports (ie rumours) suggesting that Clarke may miss the rest of the season, it seems that Brown will be the man between the sticks for the end of the season, so with that in mind here is a quick profile of our 'new' goalkeeper.