Oxford United's gamble pays off as Worley proves the hero (From Oxford Mail)
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Oxford United's gamble pays off as Worley proves the hero
9:40am Monday 17th December 2012 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
Ryan Clarke makes a superb reflex save to deny Jack Redshaw
CHRIS Wilder was delighted to see his Plan B come off as Oxford United hit back late on to grab a point at Morecambe on Saturday.
The visitors’ Plan A almost worked, but despite dominating the opening 25 minutes they could not find a breakthrough in the npower League two clash.
Tom Craddock had the best chance, but his shot could only find the goalkeeper’s legs.
James Constable, Alfie Potter and Sean Rigg all missed the target when opportunities fell their way.
United were staring at a defeat when Morecambe took the lead 12 minutes from time.
But Wilder, who has been accused by his critics of lacking alternave strategies, responded.
Defender Harry Worley was brought on as a striker and within five minutes bagged an equaliser.
The United boss said: “Possibly I can be a little bit critical of my forwards, really they should have gone and won the game for us. “But Alfie showed a bit of quality to put a great cross in and it was a great finish (from Harry).
“We have to have plans. Some people might not think we do, but whether we’re up or down in a game we need to have different ideas. “We’ve talked to Harry and they all do a bit of finishing on away trips, so we’ve had that plan for quite a while.”
The centre back missed the start of the season with an ankle injury, but even since regaining fitness, has found himself down the pecking order.
The 24-year-old has had just 15 minutes of first-team action in two months and with Michael Duberry on the verge of a comeback his chances look set to become even more limited.
Wilder praised the approach of Worley, who declined requests for interviews after the game, but did not make any assurances over his position at United.
He said: “It’s been a bit of a difficult time for Harry, but he’s not sulked, he’s got on with it. “If his future lies here or elsewhere he’ll earn a living in the game because of his attitude and what he showed out there. “I think that’s generally the attitude of everybody in the squad.
“When they get an opportunity to play, they want to play well for themselves, for their teammates and the club, regardless if they feel they’re bang in their manager’s plans or not.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (22)
10:16am Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
From 2000-2001 to 2011-12 , the eighth placed team in the fourth tier has got between 68 and 72 points on ten of the twelve occasions.
One was United – 69 points in 2002-3.
The other two were 63 in 2005/6 and 74 in 2003/4
Approaching the half way stage , to get 70 points we need to get 44 points from 24
If we lost only 6 (phew) of the 24 , then we would need 44 points from the remaining 18 matches . Win 13 draw 5 and lose 6 (ouch) would give us 70
I can’t see us reaching the lottery of the play offs - can you, Mr W?
10:22am Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
10:41am Mon 17 Dec 12
bobbylashley says...
10:46am Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
10:47am Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
11:08am Mon 17 Dec 12
BezzaYellow says...
11:23am Mon 17 Dec 12
bobbylashley says...
We could still have a good season even if we don’t make the play offs
JPT final at Wembley still on plus a good FA cup run
Still if you wish to look on the negative side all the time why don’t you go and support another team, we don’t need moaners thanks all the same
11:42am Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
11:48am Mon 17 Dec 12
bobbylashley says...
12:01pm Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
1:05pm Mon 17 Dec 12
osler road says...
ontext. I certainly didn't notice he had e.g Robbie Hall's ability and would have had no worries about putting him into the fire but I could be proved wrong
1:17pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Manor Born says...
Getting to a pointless final in a pointless trophy and the FA Cup Third or Fourth Round does not constitute a successful season. This season has been about as disasterous as it could possibly have been and there is only one man responsible for that. Yet remarkably he remains in a job that he is clearly no longer capable of . The last 12 months have shown us that he is incapable of building a squad capable of mounting a serious promotion challenge.
He blew it last season and he has blown it this season. Managers who have achieved far more have been sacked for so much less than what we have been put through.
Promotion is a distant faded dream. The reality is we're far more likely to get out this league via the trapdoor. And anyone who says we're too good to go down, are burying their heads in the sand. History has proven that not to be the case.
1:22pm Mon 17 Dec 12
AylesburyOx says...
2:02pm Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
2:59pm Mon 17 Dec 12
bobbylashley says...
le,Craddock,Potter,L
even, Wright, Worley,Rigg, Raynes,Batt not good enough for a sunday league team really???
What the loanees not good enough JFK,Cox Mullins are you sure
There are a few who maybe not good enough i would agree Heslop, Capaldi,JPP, Smalley but thats what the transfer window is all about.
ill take a quid at 30-1 whose offering that.
3:07pm Mon 17 Dec 12
oldun says...
4:21pm Mon 17 Dec 12
OxRoxBox says...
4:33pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Grandpont Tom says...
I find talk of the playoffs delusional. Surely we will remain in the lower half of the table for the rest of the season unless something changes - won't we?
I would be much happier if we had some young (and local) lads in the team. Most of the squad are in the middle of their careers and are where they are for good reasons.
Why not give Tyrone Marsh a go? Whilst we could still go down, we probably won't so why not try something different.
That is what I find most depressing about Mr. Wilder. He repeats himself. He buys journeymen who may still be hungry - but aren't very good.
It is a bit sad that we seem to be going backwards.
4:46pm Mon 17 Dec 12
OxRoxBox says...
except
"weak in, weak out!!"
4:54pm Mon 17 Dec 12
RADIOFAN says...
11:16pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Brenda Jackson says...
HOPING he would get him out of the mire- and guess what- wilder got LUCKY!
And he's so chuffed with himself, and he's putting another spin on things, Per usual- we drew AGAIN and it was two points lost, not one point gained.
It's laughable how the wool is being pulled over some peoples eyes, laughable and sad, the team are shockingly bad, the manager is keeping his job because the Chairman is keeping a low low profile and doing -what exactly? As far as we can see, nowt. Tuesday night's match against the mighty Stanley will, i have the feeling be another shocker for U's fans.
5:57am Tue 18 Dec 12
oldun says...