Oxford United boss is prepared to wait (From Oxford Mail)

Oxford United boss is prepared to wait

9:30am Friday 20th June 2014 in Headlines By Mark Edwards , Sports Editor. Call me on 01865 425451

GARY Waddock will wait as long as it takes in order to bring the right players into Oxford United.

The U’s head coach has only so far signed striker Danny Hylton as he shapes his squad for next season’s campaign.

But while several other Sky Bet League Two clubs have made numerous acquisition, Waddock is prepared to sit tight to ensure that any new faces fit the criteria he is looking for.

“There is an awful amount of hard work and preparation that is being done here, everyone can rest assured of that,” he said.

“I’m like every other fan and in an ideal world the whole squad would be assembled the day after Northampton match.

“But that just doesn’t happen.

“You can’t just phone up a player, meet him the next day and get every- thing done and dusted straight away – that’s not the way it is.”

The United boss added: “It is crucial that we make sure we get the right kind of people in.

“We know the types of player we want and we are all working extremely hard to make sure that happens.”

Waddock has held plenty of meetings with potential signings and their representatives and is hopeful of transfer activity in the near future.

But the former Wycombe Wanderers boss says he will not be rushed into anything.

“My phone has constantly been on charge with all the use it’s getting at the minute,” he said.

“I have had numerous meetings with players and agents.

“We’ve missed out on one or two and when that happens you have to start the whole process over again.

“But it’s the busiest time of the year by far and it’s all about getting the right players in, which I am confident we will do.”

The U’s squad report back for pre-season at the end of the month, and while their boss would like to have added to his squad by then, he appreciates there are advantages of playing a waiting game.

Players still without a contract often drop their demands the closer it gets to pre-season, and with many clubs having already spent most of their budget on new faces, others can pounce.

“That’s certainly one positive,” he commented.

“Players want to look at their options and see what’s out there, of course they do.

“But at the back of their mind as pre-season looms is that they have not got a club and want to be involved somewhere.

“We have kept the majority of the squad from last season and we weren’t far away, so it’s a case of making sure the new additions are the right ones.

“I’m willing to be patient to make sure that’s the case.”

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