DENIS Smith has a summit meeting with his chairman Firoz Kassam today and surely should be given what he wants, writes Jon Murray.

That is a manager's contract, for a start, and the minimum of a two-year deal the least he deserves after keeping Oxford United in the second division.

On February 1, Smith voluntarily offered his services after watching United's 4-0 home defeat by Preston their fourth defeat in a row after what had begun as a successful campaign under caretaker-manager Mickey Lewis.

Two days later, United confirmed Smith's appointment until the end of the season.

His brief was simple: Keep the U's up. He worked without a contract and, after his first match, an emotional game following the tragic death of Martin Aldridge, the U's looked a side shorn of self-confidence as they slipped to 22nd in the table.

But despite at vital times losing key players through injury, Smith used his experience and know-how to turn things around.

He made mistakes along the way, but then name a manager that hasn't. He listened to what the supporters were saying they have for ages urged Paul Powell to play on the left wing and he managed to get United to at last look capable of scoring goals.

Yet there are worries over what club owner Kassam will be prepared to offer, not just to Smith, but in terms of money for new contracts and new signings.

Smith admitted his disappointment that he has not got his friend and long-time No 2 Malcolm Crosby as his assistant at the Manor. Instead Crosby was yesterday appointed a coach at rivals Swindon Town, under new boss Colin Todd and his first-team coach Andy King.

"I wanted Malcolm to come here and I think he wanted to," Smith said. "But I wasn't in a position to offer him anything. I don't even know if I'm staying yet."