Boss Chris Wilder warned his players to expect a hard fight to get into Oxford United’s team next season, because he’s planning to bring in some strong recruits in the summer.

The U’s ended their first season back in the Football League in 12th place after losing their last game 3-0 at Shrewsbury on Saturday.

In the end, they finished five places and just five points off the play-off positions, though their hopes of reaching them had died some weeks ago.

“We’ve done all right this season,” reflected Wilder. “We got off to a slow start, and changed it around at Christmas.

“In terms of points per game, if we’d started the season after Christmas, we’d have been well in there.

“We’ll do the necessary work in the summer.

“I’ve said to the players in the dressing room, it’s going to be a tough school because we’ll bring better players in and we will not be hanging about.

“We have to see that financially we do it in the right way.

“Players have got to look around and be more consistent. Today at times they performed at seven and eight out of ten and at others they were fours and fives. That’s our season in a game.”

United’s manager admitted he is well down the road of talking to players and agents to make new signings.

He may be looking to bring in up to half-a-dozen new faces during the close season to strengthen the team, and the squad.

“I’m on with it,” he said. “We’re talking to people and setting up deals.

“As always, people will think we’ve got £2m to chuck at it, which we haven’t.

“We’ll do things sensibly – agents are coming and making ridiculous demands, but we won’t be silly.

“But we know we have to improve so we have to spend a couple of quid to get better players, because that’s what they cost.”

The U’s boss added: “We have to bring in players that are going to make us stronger.

“I’ve thanked the players for their efforts. They’ve given it a go today.

“There were a lot of tired bodies out there, with a few injuries.

“It’s been a satisfying season. But we’re always looking to do better.”