TONY FALLOWS

@ t_ manorpodcast

Last season was the most competitive League One yet. We picked up 76 points, which is almost always enough for the play- offs, and finished 8th.

The big talking point is whether Karl Robinson [ above] has identified the defensive frailties that cost us, and whether he’ll do anything about it.

Our key player will be Cameron Brannagan. The midfield dynamo has shown loyalty that is rare in this era – most U’s are very surprised that the league’s best midfielder is still here. The active player I’d love to have back is former skipper John Lundstram – he must be bored of top- tier football and European cup finals by now.

Our most underrated player is Alex Gorrin [ below]. We missed the Spanish hatchet man after he tore his ACL. Fans think our ground is ready for the bulldozers. The Kassam isn’t even ours – it belongs to former owner Firoz Kassam. It’ll be a millstone around our necks until the lease expires in 2026.

I won’t be happy unless we finish in the play- offs, at least.

The opposition player who grinds my

gears is Barry Bannan. Shouldn’t he be playing in the Premier League? Stop showboating in the third tier and get back to your proper level.

Fans think our owner is Indonesian… or maybe Thai? The long- running story/ non- story over who exactly owns Oxford United is still rumbling on. All the key players seem to get on, though, and seem to be part of the same board, so most fans are relaxed. I’m least looking forward to playing

Fleetwood, our perennial bogey team. The theme tune to Captain Pugwash brings most of us out in a cold sweat.

The fans’ opinion of the gaffer is still positive, but a bit fraught. We love Robbo’s exciting and stylish football, but there are only so many 3- 2 results ( win or lose) that the nerves can take. If he left, he should be replaced by

John Mousinho, chairman of the PFA and still our player – but coaching calls.

The pantomime villain will be Derby, when they inevitably record their first win of the season against us.

We’ll finish 7th. Oxford consistently compete, but promotion will be difficult until vulnerabilities are addressed.

FFT VERDICT

8TH

Defender Ciaron Brown’s return after a successful loan is welcome for Oxford, who have kept the core of their play- off chasing crop but waited to add to it. There will be chances: poacher Matty Taylor should rank among the league’s best, even if the Yellows don’t quite.