Dean Saunders on key for Oxford United progress next season
FORMER Oxford United striker Dean Saunders says the U’s will have to be smart in the summer transfer window if they are to progress further in Sky Bet Championship next season.
The U’s won three games from seven going into the penultimate match of the campaign, with key victories coming against Watford, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.
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Saunders scored 33 goals in 73 appearances for United prior to a £1 million switch to Derby County, and he later played for the likes of Liverpool, Aston Villa and Galatasaray.
He said: “I think Oxford’s survival this season was brilliant, they really dug in during the latter part of the season and got themselves over the line, which they can build upon next season.
“There was plenty of pressure on them, the trapdoor of relegation was certainly there, but two wins and two draws from their last five games got them over the line by four points.
“Battling down the bottom of the Championship is key. If you assume you’re going to survive like Luton seemed to do, you can easily fall into League One. I had a great time playing for Oxford, and I’m glad they survived, they deserved it.
“I hope they progress further under Gary Rowett next season. Being in a relegation battle isn’t fun for anyone, so I hope they can develop further next season.
“But it isn’t easy on a small budget, so credit to Rowett and everyone at the club. Recruitment is the key for any team to progress, so they will have to be smart in that department, and I’m sure they will be aiming to be a solid Championship club for seasons to come.”
Saunders, an FA Cup winner with Liverpool and a League Cup winner with Villa, was speaking to the Oxford Mail on behalf of casinoreviews.net
SEAN BEN, 29, of Bagley Close, Kennington, Oxford, pleaded guilty to drug driving in a Ford Fiesta on Hill Close, Witney, on February 18 this year. He must pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £123 and a fine of £307. He was also banned from the road for 12 months.
RAHUL AHMED, 24, of Witton Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to drug driving in a grey Seat Leon on Southam Road, Banbury, on February 4 this year. He must pay costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £48 and a fine of £120. He was also banned from the road for 12 months.
SAMUEL COOPER, 33, of Ticknell Piece Road, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, pleaded guilty to being in possession of a Class B drug, namely cannabis, in Chipping Norton on March 24 last year. An order was made for the drugs to be destroyed and he must pay a fine of £50.
STEVEN PRATT, 56, of Metcalfe Close, Drayton, Banbury, pleaded guilty to two counts of breaching the conditions of a sexual harm prevention order by failing to make two computers available to police for inspection. He also pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the notification requirements of being on the sexual offenders register by staying at an address for seven days or longer within a 12 month period without registering it with police. He was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also fined £85.
