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Lenagan: unfair to judge Oxford United boss now (From Oxford Mail)
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Lenagan: unfair to judge Oxford United boss now
9:37am Monday 1st October 2012 in Oxford Utd
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
IAN Lenagan has defended under-fire Chris Wilder, saying it would be "wrong and unfair" to judge the Oxford United manager with the number of injuries in the squad.
A 3-1 loss at Rotherham United on Saturday was United's sixth successive league defeat, equalling a club record in a single season.
But the U's chairman believes the number of injuries affecting the squad this season has been a crucial factor in the slump.
As a result Lenagan is determined not to make any changes until the squad returns to near full strength, despite pressure from some supporters to sack Wilder.
He said: "I am strongly of the opinion that one judges a manager when he has had his squad on the field and not before.
"With the injured players returning at a reasonable rate and most of them scheduled to be back and fit by November, it will not be long before such a judgement can be made.
"To make that judgement now, in my experienced opinion, would be both wrong and unfair and I will not do that - even if some are insistent that we do so."
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (54)
9:57am Mon 1 Oct 12
northampton yellow says...
10:01am Mon 1 Oct 12
AylesburyOx says...
So essentially it's the same excuse as last year only we'll continue to be dire all season rather than just part of it.
Excuse on excuse on excuse - I'm sick of hearing about injuries; players get injured - deal with it!
Wilder and co. should be working with the fit players and getting them working as a unit. Those on the pitch are playing without a clue and without any sort of character that I would deem acceptable of anyone wearing an Oxford United shirt.
I will not be attending any further games this season. Honestly, this is hopeless and an insult to those of us who genuinely believed in Lenagan, Wilder, Lewis etc. We meet our end of the deal by paying a great deal of money to ‘the biggest club in league 2’ and in return all we get is false hope and broken promises.
Absolute shambles.
10:08am Mon 1 Oct 12
martico1 says...
10:33am Mon 1 Oct 12
WindsorYellow says...
10:36am Mon 1 Oct 12
Open your eyes says...
The injury excuse once again rears it's head when we were told no more excuses. I had faith in Ian Lenagan until this morning and he has done nothing at all to manage and act in the wake of an awful six game period, which needs to be looked at over a longer period of time (since early February 2012 and the terrible Novembers we have every single year).
If he expects me to come and support that clown tomorrow night, he can think again.
10:41am Mon 1 Oct 12
BigOx22 says...
11:41am Mon 1 Oct 12
Marina Morris says...
12:12pm Mon 1 Oct 12
BigYellowScarf says...
As for the notion that the team are unmotivated – or, as some rumour-mongers darkly suggest without ever giving their source, “don’t get on with Wilder” and “he’s lost the dressing room” – there isn’t the SLIGHTEST evidence of this. Read Wayne Brown’s current piece (“Everybody’s playing for Chris… There are people outside the club who are trying to put a divide between us, but we’re one unit”) – you can disbelieve him if you want, but why would you want to? I see every reason to believe him. Yes, we all know there have been a couple of very poor performances, but it’s always blindingly obvious when teams are unmotivated and don’t want to play for a manager, and at no point has it ever looked like that AT ALL.
Fortunately most of the people I know DO understand the impact of the injury crisis, and DO see a team that’s working for the manager, and they, like me, will be voting with their feet and turning up tomorrow to support. Come on you yellows.
12:38pm Mon 1 Oct 12
YellowRose says...
12:47pm Mon 1 Oct 12
jbowling says...
I think its time for true supporters to either demonstrate (see Bournemouth fans) or boycott games.
Drastic measure required - the bloke just isn't listening
12:50pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
Mind you, an Interest point might be folks expecting to see a record breaking 7th consecutive league defeat.
They will be disappointed - Wimbledon are poor - and
we will get at least a point. Hopefully 3. COYY
12:50pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
Mind you, an Interest point might be folks expecting to see a record breaking 7th consecutive league defeat.
They will be disappointed - Wimbledon are poor - and
we will get at least a point. Hopefully 3. COYY
1:05pm Mon 1 Oct 12
ox85 says...
1:12pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Doctor69 says...
The reality is, it may cost X amount to get shot of Wilder, BUT, it will cost an awful lot more when we are sucked into a relegation dog fight and the crowds drop.....lets not even think beoynd that now!
Wilder has clearly taken us as far as he can. He has assembled the squad. Its lop sided. 3 left backs, 1 right back? No pace in the middle of the park. Injury prone players (Dubes, Leven), lack of creativity, and a lack of goalscorers. the warning signs were there last season and injuries were blamed. Why were they not addressed over the summer?
The current run of form since the Swindon game (early March 2012) to today is appaling, its got to be pushing the worst in the league?
I understand injuries are mounting up, BUT why is this? We were told that fittness would be improved, investments would be made, and here we are again. Also, how many of the injured players would come into the team and actually turn us around?......
Will still be there tomorrow, but the support for the manager has gone for me. the sooner he goes the better.
1:14pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
1:20pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
1:22pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Malkym says...
Equals the dreaded vote of confidence!!!
For whom the bell tolls - it tolls for thee "Gene" Wilder
2:13pm Mon 1 Oct 12
OUFC 4 EVA says...
2:26pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Patrick in Devon says...
2:31pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Doctor69 says...
The chairman isnt blameless, he holds the money, and it looks like he wont invest, like he wont bite the bullet and sack wilder.
2:57pm Mon 1 Oct 12
OUFC 4 EVA says...
3:20pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Doctor69 says...
However, Wilder needed to address the shortcomings in his squad over the summer.
For instance, Constable, Smalley, Cradock, Potter, JPP didn’t do it last season, why will they suddenly improve this season?.....So, let’s sign a forward, actually, no, lets sign Rigg!!
Another example, Heslop, the most unfit and un-mobile midfielder around, on a 3 year deal?
Another example, Leven. Classy player when (if ever) fit. Capable of scoring long rangers, but has never been truly fit since arriving and is surely a luxury at this level?
Truth is, Wilder signed these players, gave them the long contracts, or decided they didn’t need replacing in the summer after last season’s implosion. Therefore, he has to take accountability.
I firmly believe Wilders time was up at the end of last season, and the longer he stays, the more stale we will become.
I would love to be proved wrong, but I cannot see it happening. A mid table finish isn’t acceptable to me. Year on year progression should always be the aim so Play Offs, at a minimum should be the benchmark.
And a final point ‘fans like me’ are the ones who buy a season ticket every season, go to cup games at £20 extra per game, travel up and down the country to away games, I think we are entitled to our views on the state the club finds itself. BSP was no fun last time, and I for one fear we would never recover if it happens again.
3:43pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
3:47pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Micky Hazard says...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Haven't laughed so much at you lot since Lingy's Leyton Orient side sent you back to your rightful place, ie non-league.
Yeh yeh I know - "We beat you!" etc etc........look where that's got you. Can't wait for the next instalment from the Kassam 'Fawlty Towers' Stadium.
4:15pm Mon 1 Oct 12
swalker260 says...
It does nothing for the club and team yes it is not good but we all know that this situation could change, when we had won our first games and everything looked rosy nothing was heard get behind the team otherwise these comments will pour more pressure on the players which we do not need,confidence is inportant and that will come once we start winning and that will start with Tuesday.
4:18pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Adman says...
4:28pm Mon 1 Oct 12
OxRoxBox says...
4:40pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Doctor69 says...
Also, it is the fans club. Look at any team that goes into administration. the Chairman and owners walk away. Who is left, the fans. Who really suffers, the fans. Are you telling me if pompy go out of business the 20K fans are not going to suffer? Tiem for you to get real. Business carries risks.
Chapman and Whing will help, although Chappy has only missed 2 games? I still feel there is a massive lack of creativity and ultimately goals?
4:43pm Mon 1 Oct 12
BigOx22 says...
COYY
4:55pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Beau champ mummy says...
5:02pm Mon 1 Oct 12
adlibber says...
6:06pm Mon 1 Oct 12
kckidlington says...
6:43pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
6:43pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
7:30pm Mon 1 Oct 12
wend says...
7:45pm Mon 1 Oct 12
oldun says...
8:06pm Mon 1 Oct 12
Beau champ mummy says...
9:08pm Mon 1 Oct 12
wend says...
11:34pm Mon 1 Oct 12
marathon2012 says...
Jim Rosenthal gone Kelvin Thomas gone football gone to pot.
Lenagan has got what he wants Rugby at the kassam why would he put money in to the football when he has Premiership Rugby the only sport he really understands
This could be the demise of oxford as we know it. I hope not supported them for 50 years since i was a kid and i have not known it this bad went to the Rugby and who was there Lenagan make your own minds up.
COYY
12:36am Tue 2 Oct 12
hawkeye1 says...
12:41am Tue 2 Oct 12
In_The_Nikon_Time says...
Most you thought Wilder was a god after the first 3 games, nothing has changed. Stability is the key to success.
4:24am Tue 2 Oct 12
oldun says...
4:24am Tue 2 Oct 12
oldun says...
7:06am Tue 2 Oct 12
adlibber says...
9:22am Tue 2 Oct 12
AylesburyOx says...
9:34am Tue 2 Oct 12
Brenda Jackson says...
''I'll judge the manager when he has a full Squad to choose from'' - Like most of last season Mr Lenagan -When we were atrocious?
We have the same squad of players now
albeit many of them on the sick list, what makes the Chairman think that once they
are ready to return they will be suddenly much better players than last season?
I predict a 'mini revival' and we'll get four points out of the next two home matches, then the old habits will return- a pattern that will repeat itself, and we will just about, but only just, avoid the fall.
Talking of falling, when the inevitable happens and the gates fall, what's the betting the Chairman will be complaining about lack of support?
My answer would be, you have had tremendous support as a bottom tier football club- and what have you done to repay that support?
Served up dire, and losing 'football' in a souless stadium- did you really think you could hang on to 7/8,000 attendances?
Major changes are needed, not just managerial either imo.
10:20am Tue 2 Oct 12
In_The_Nikon_Time says...
10:42am Tue 2 Oct 12
OxRoxBox says...
This season is heading in a similar fashion.
Please polish your lens and see the clearer picture - your long lens should help you then realise that our form is on the wane and spiralling
12:19pm Tue 2 Oct 12
adlibber says...
1:17pm Tue 2 Oct 12
Doctor69 says...
As stated by myself, and several other posters, the run we are on, including end of last season is shocking. The 3 wins at the start of this season were a blip, thats all. I also dont belive that any fan who has been going for a number of seasons belived all our troubles were over 3 games into a new season.
3 points tonight is essential, because otherwise with Gillingham on saturday, and Port Vale the following Monday it could easily be no wins in 9
6:36pm Tue 2 Oct 12
In_The_Nikon_Time says...
"6 defeats on the bounce clearly fiction in your world yes?"
Your words not mine, fortunately I live in the real world and I can speak for myself. Yes its a FACT we have lost 6 on the bounce we well may lose more. My post is and was about getting behind and supporting my team - Oxford United. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion as I am mine, neither is more valid than the other.
6:57pm Tue 2 Oct 12
oldun says...
Severely struggling teams at any level above parks pitch will draw two or three of any nine matches
seven in a row can't happen - a new club record for United - impossible - Dons are struggling
6:57pm Tue 2 Oct 12
oldun says...
Severely struggling teams at any level above parks pitch will draw two or three of any nine matches
seven in a row can't happen - a new club record for United - impossible - Dons are struggling
9:48pm Tue 2 Oct 12
oldun says...