Tough start doesn't worry Oxford United ace Andy Whing

9:30am Friday 22nd June 2012 in Oxford Utd Photograph of the Author By Mark Edwards, Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451

Andy Whing Andy Whing

OXFORD United hard man Andy Whing says the U’s will relish the tough opening fixtures to next season.

And that is because they proved 12 months ago that they are capable of beating the fancied teams.

After a home Capital One Cup tie against Bournemouth on Tuesday, August 14, United travel to Bristol Rovers for their npower League Two opener four days later.

They are then at home to Southend, who made last season’s play-offs, and Plymouth, whose money troubles are behind them, before a tough September schedule, which sees them on the road in four of their six matches.

However, United’s opening fixtures last season were just as tough, and Chris Wilder’s men picked up seven points from their first four games, which included matches against Shrewsbury and Swindon – both of whom won automatic promotion.

Whing says that with the majority of the same squad still involved, they are confident of a repeat performance.

“It’s a tough start, but that’s the way it looked last season and we did well,” he said.

“We beat Shrewsbury and Swindon early on and they ended up as the top two. We know it’s important to hit the ground running and start well.”

Whing says that although he and the rest of squad have enjoyed some time off, they know that they still have to keep in shape with the start of pre-season just around the corner.

He added: “We have worked hard over the summer.

“We were still coming in for two weeks after the season ended, doing some fitness and gym work, and were given a programme to stick to over the summer.

“I think times have changed for footballers.

“In the old days they would be off for longer and then know they were in for a hard slog when they came back, especially if they were carrying a bit of timber.

“But nowadays you know you have to keep working through the summer and it is to your own benefit to come back fit and ready to go.”

l SCOTT Rendell, on loan at United last season, and Jon Shaw, a potential transfer target, have both signed for Blue Square Conference side Luton.

Comments (11)

9:35am Fri 22 Jun 12

BigAlBiker says...

Shaw and Rendell at Luton, if they have money to pay them why dont we? I would have thought Shaw would have been a good signing but then i am not CW who seems to know better than all 7000 supporters who watch the games. I susect this coming season is going to be one of despair.
Shaw and Rendell at Luton, if they have money to pay them why dont we? I would have thought Shaw would have been a good signing but then i am not CW who seems to know better than all 7000 supporters who watch the games. I susect this coming season is going to be one of despair. BigAlBiker

10:16am Fri 22 Jun 12

Manor Born says...

It is midfielders we need, not strikers. We already have 7 of them on the books. More creativity from the middle and our strikers will get the goals.

Shaw has tried & failed at this level before. He's a good non-League striker, but nothing more. Rendell worked hard and did reasonably well for us, but was he really any better than what we already have? No.

A fully fit Craddock will be like a new signing for us and his goals were sorely missed last season.
It is midfielders we need, not strikers. We already have 7 of them on the books. More creativity from the middle and our strikers will get the goals. Shaw has tried & failed at this level before. He's a good non-League striker, but nothing more. Rendell worked hard and did reasonably well for us, but was he really any better than what we already have? No. A fully fit Craddock will be like a new signing for us and his goals were sorely missed last season. Manor Born

10:32am Fri 22 Jun 12

oxfordus says...

Let's judge the look of the squad for this season once it starts. There are 6 weeks to go before the big kick-off and I am sure that OUFC are looking carefully at the players market and will sign good players at the right price/wages. A lot of players are hanging out for the best deal they can land at the moment but as the season draws ever closer, players will have to make a choice and that's when I would start making my approaches. Yeah, some players may have been snapped up by other clubs but there are plenty of players out there that could a good job for us. After all, we are only div 4.
Let's judge the look of the squad for this season once it starts. There are 6 weeks to go before the big kick-off and I am sure that OUFC are looking carefully at the players market and will sign good players at the right price/wages. A lot of players are hanging out for the best deal they can land at the moment but as the season draws ever closer, players will have to make a choice and that's when I would start making my approaches. Yeah, some players may have been snapped up by other clubs but there are plenty of players out there that could a good job for us. After all, we are only div 4. oxfordus

10:59am Fri 22 Jun 12

CHINNOR YELLOWS says...

Manor Born is spot on, with all our front men fit we will match anyone. Smalley apart the rest have proved there can play.
The midfield is lacking and we do need a creative player or two in there. The situation with Adam Chapman is one that needs resolving ASAP.
We also need another Right Back, when Batty was out Andy Whing did a job but looked exposed to often (I would never knock his courage or commitment).
Lets see what happens over next few weeks and wait for the season to begin.
Manor Born is spot on, with all our front men fit we will match anyone. Smalley apart the rest have proved there can play. The midfield is lacking and we do need a creative player or two in there. The situation with Adam Chapman is one that needs resolving ASAP. We also need another Right Back, when Batty was out Andy Whing did a job but looked exposed to often (I would never knock his courage or commitment). Lets see what happens over next few weeks and wait for the season to begin. CHINNOR YELLOWS

1:20pm Fri 22 Jun 12

horsham says...

Manor Born wrote:
It is midfielders we need, not strikers. We already have 7 of them on the books. More creativity from the middle and our strikers will get the goals.

Shaw has tried & failed at this level before. He's a good non-League striker, but nothing more. Rendell worked hard and did reasonably well for us, but was he really any better than what we already have? No.

A fully fit Craddock will be like a new signing for us and his goals were sorely missed last season.
Manor Born:
I think you are right, we have strikers, it's the midfield that needs to be creative and supply, we may be short there.

I also thought last season that we did not have enough width and pace getting the ball in the box. Potter was injured but the lad Holmes on lone from Saints changed the game I saw (sorry, can't remember which one), when they brought him on straight after half time.
[quote][p][bold]Manor Born[/bold] wrote: It is midfielders we need, not strikers. We already have 7 of them on the books. More creativity from the middle and our strikers will get the goals. Shaw has tried & failed at this level before. He's a good non-League striker, but nothing more. Rendell worked hard and did reasonably well for us, but was he really any better than what we already have? No. A fully fit Craddock will be like a new signing for us and his goals were sorely missed last season.[/p][/quote]Manor Born: I think you are right, we have strikers, it's the midfield that needs to be creative and supply, we may be short there. I also thought last season that we did not have enough width and pace getting the ball in the box. Potter was injured but the lad Holmes on lone from Saints changed the game I saw (sorry, can't remember which one), when they brought him on straight after half time. horsham

9:54am Sat 23 Jun 12

bigchet says...

on teletext yesday we posted loss of 300,000last year but zilch about it on ox mail or yellow player, if fans are not informed then they will query the lack of involvement in the transfer market and no progress with the stadium. if any fans who complain about leneghans financial commitment to oufc would like to contribute to wiping out that debt i am sure he would be more than happy. on a brighter note i think that just a couple of midfield additions would make our squad capable of doing well next season if we dont get the horrific injury problems of last term
on teletext yesday we posted loss of 300,000last year but zilch about it on ox mail or yellow player, if fans are not informed then they will query the lack of involvement in the transfer market and no progress with the stadium. if any fans who complain about leneghans financial commitment to oufc would like to contribute to wiping out that debt i am sure he would be more than happy. on a brighter note i think that just a couple of midfield additions would make our squad capable of doing well next season if we dont get the horrific injury problems of last term bigchet

1:32pm Sat 23 Jun 12

BigAlBiker says...

The loss was due to a dispute with Firoka and we had to pay £298,000 for service items, personally I would be concentrating on finding a wealthy person or company to purchase the stadium from its owner, then we might be able to spend a bit on players.
The loss was due to a dispute with Firoka and we had to pay £298,000 for service items, personally I would be concentrating on finding a wealthy person or company to purchase the stadium from its owner, then we might be able to spend a bit on players. BigAlBiker

3:33pm Sat 23 Jun 12

adlibber says...

Mid table mediocrity beckons-Club is potless and Wilder won't get any more out of this squad than he did last year. Disappointing.
Mid table mediocrity beckons-Club is potless and Wilder won't get any more out of this squad than he did last year. Disappointing. adlibber

6:05pm Sun 24 Jun 12

pop up pirate says...

Kassam won’t let us go will he. Easy money for his company. I would love to see us able to get the stadium but it won’t be for some time at best by then he would have had plenty of cash from his investment. But having said this I am looking forward to next season. otid
Kassam won’t let us go will he. Easy money for his company. I would love to see us able to get the stadium but it won’t be for some time at best by then he would have had plenty of cash from his investment. But having said this I am looking forward to next season. otid pop up pirate

8:40pm Sun 24 Jun 12

yellowhoods says...

pop up pirate wrote:
Kassam won’t let us go will he. Easy money for his company. I would love to see us able to get the stadium but it won’t be for some time at best by then he would have had plenty of cash from his investment. But having said this I am looking forward to next season. otid
Mid table at best!!!!!!!!!!you live in a dream world
[quote][p][bold]pop up pirate[/bold] wrote: Kassam won’t let us go will he. Easy money for his company. I would love to see us able to get the stadium but it won’t be for some time at best by then he would have had plenty of cash from his investment. But having said this I am looking forward to next season. otid[/p][/quote]Mid table at best!!!!!!!!!!you live in a dream world yellowhoods

6:37pm Mon 25 Jun 12

In_The_Nikon_Time says...

BigAlBiker wrote:
Shaw and Rendell at Luton, if they have money to pay them why dont we? I would have thought Shaw would have been a good signing but then i am not CW who seems to know better than all 7000 supporters who watch the games. I susect this coming season is going to be one of despair.
I sincerely hope that CW DOES know better that all 7000 supporters, I have a sneaking suspicion that's why he is the manager and not one or god forbid all of the 7000 supporters ;-)
[quote][p][bold]BigAlBiker[/bold] wrote: Shaw and Rendell at Luton, if they have money to pay them why dont we? I would have thought Shaw would have been a good signing but then i am not CW who seems to know better than all 7000 supporters who watch the games. I susect this coming season is going to be one of despair.[/p][/quote]I sincerely hope that CW DOES know better that all 7000 supporters, I have a sneaking suspicion that's why he is the manager and not one or god forbid all of the 7000 supporters ;-) In_The_Nikon_Time

Comments are closed on this article.

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