Gilly has point to prove
7:45am Monday 25th August 2008
TWO-TIME Oxford United star Phil Gilchrist makes his first return to the Kassam Stadium today as a coach - determined to prove the doubters wrong.
'Gilly', No 2 to Woking boss Kim Grant, wants to show U's supporters who expressed reservations when it was suggested he might go into coaching, that they should have put more trust in him.
The centre half and skipper was tipped as a possible youth-team coach at United, but never got the chance.
With Woking the visitors to Oxford this afternoon, and neither team having begun the Blue Square Premier season particularly well, it's a big match for both sides, and Gilchrist is hoping that his players can put on a show.
He said: "Some Oxford fans didn't think I'd be any good as a coach, so hopefully I'll be able to prove them wrong.
"You always look forward to going back to your old club, I did as a player, and I do now as a coach."
Bottom club Woking have now lost their first four games, but before Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers they hadn't played badly. All four defeats have been by a solitary goal.
Gilly said: "Results have been disappointing, but we've looked good going forward and we'll be hoping to cause problems at the Kassam."
Gilchrist, who got the job after being on the same UEFA B coaching course as Grant at Keele University in the summer, is enjoying his first few months on the training ground.
"The hours are a lot longer than when you're a player and there's a lot more organisational things you have to do, but you get to see a lot more of a football club and how it's run," he added.
Oxford have failed to beat Woking in two attempts at home, both games ending goalless, including the Boxing Day match two seasons ago which attracted a record 11,065 gate for a Conference fixture.
"Woking have always done well at the Kassam," Gilly said. "Our style of football will be different this time, though, we play a fast-flowing attacking game now.
"It's just a shame the Oxford fans won't see Joel Ledgister. He broke his hand ten days ago and won't be able to play, it's just too soon. They didn't see the real Joel Ledgister."