Wilder impressed by Oxford United strike duo

9:50am Monday 4th March 2013 in U's News Photograph of the Author By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458

Alfie Potter (right) and Deane Smalley after the former’s opening goal Alfie Potter (right) and Deane Smalley after the former’s opening goal

CHRIS Wilder highlighted the performances of his strike partnership after both scored in Oxford United’s 2-1 win against Port Vale, writes DAVID PRITCHARD.

Alfie Potter and Deane Smalley have rarely played as a front two, but the pair have clicked since being brought into the side at the expense of Tom Craddock and James Constable last week.

Potter, who netted the only goal of the game at Gillingham last Tuesday, opened the scoring with a cool finish on Saturday.

And Smalley won the game for United on 76 minutes with a precise finish, which was his first since suffering a groin injury in October.

Wilder was very satisfied with the performances of the two 24-year-olds.

He said: “I thought Alfie’s performance was excellent and caused them all sorts of problems.

“And after Deane got his goal, for the next ten minutes he was running away from people – he was superb.

“He was back to the start of the season when he was being really positive. “He’s a good player, but he’s had problems and you can’t produce your best when you’re not fit – but he’s getting there and I thought he was a major problem.”

The win against Vale completed a stunning few days for United, who have beaten the league’s top two sides.

United’s manager was especially pleased with the way his side closed out the game after Sean Rigg had a penalty saved, but was keeping his feet firmly on the ground.

“Nothing’s been said in the changing room, I’m not jumping on players’ backs and saying they’re the greatest,” he said.

“We’ve won a tight game that could have gone either way. “Maybe looking at it, I wouldn’t have been disappointed if we had drawn, but I’m delighted that we’ve won. “We finished the game off really well. We kept the ball and made some really good decisions.”

The U’s boss also confirmed Adam Chapman was substituted just before half-time for tactical reasons, rather than injury.

He said: “Whingy came on to give us a bit of strength and experience. “I thought he was immense.”

Comments (8)

10:37am Mon 4 Mar 13

BigAlBiker says...

I applaud CW for having the nuts to drop Beano and Craddock and at least try something different as the way we were going was downwards and confidence sapping.

We still need creative quick midfield players to give the strikers a chance, even thou we have beaten the top two Mr Wilder your time is up.
I applaud CW for having the nuts to drop Beano and Craddock and at least try something different as the way we were going was downwards and confidence sapping. We still need creative quick midfield players to give the strikers a chance, even thou we have beaten the top two Mr Wilder your time is up. BigAlBiker

11:36am Mon 4 Mar 13

Southstandupper says...

7 points from last three games outstanding when realistically I would have expected 4 points. Lets beat Rotherham then push on from there. CW well done for being brave enough to make changes. Confidence should be high now not just with the players and staff but also the fans. COYY nothing is imposible a great time to go for a final push and go on an unbeaten run until the end of the season.
7 points from last three games outstanding when realistically I would have expected 4 points. Lets beat Rotherham then push on from there. CW well done for being brave enough to make changes. Confidence should be high now not just with the players and staff but also the fans. COYY nothing is imposible a great time to go for a final push and go on an unbeaten run until the end of the season. Southstandupper

11:55am Mon 4 Mar 13

GRB says...

I'll be completely honest, I was stunned when I saw line up for the Gills game but CW has got it right in the last two games. We've beaten the two best teams in the league inside a week. Tomorrow will be another tough match but if we can keep the run going it just might be an interesting end to the season.
I'll be completely honest, I was stunned when I saw line up for the Gills game but CW has got it right in the last two games. We've beaten the two best teams in the league inside a week. Tomorrow will be another tough match but if we can keep the run going it just might be an interesting end to the season. GRB

1:28pm Mon 4 Mar 13

AylesburyOx says...

In my opinion, 70 points is the minimum required for a playoff place. To do this we need to take 7 points every 4 games (there abouts). Which is achievable but I still doubt all that realistic as we would still need to keep our fingers crossed on other sides faultering.
In my opinion, 70 points is the minimum required for a playoff place. To do this we need to take 7 points every 4 games (there abouts). Which is achievable but I still doubt all that realistic as we would still need to keep our fingers crossed on other sides faultering. AylesburyOx

2:57pm Mon 4 Mar 13

35 year fan says...

AylesburyOx wrote:
In my opinion, 70 points is the minimum required for a playoff place. To do this we need to take 7 points every 4 games (there abouts). Which is achievable but I still doubt all that realistic as we would still need to keep our fingers crossed on other sides faultering.
i think 75 points is more realistic when you look at where the top 7 have already got to. not impossible if we can stay on the roll. trouble is this group's confidence can disappear pretty quickly when they lose one but lets enjoy it while we can.
[quote][p][bold]AylesburyOx[/bold] wrote: In my opinion, 70 points is the minimum required for a playoff place. To do this we need to take 7 points every 4 games (there abouts). Which is achievable but I still doubt all that realistic as we would still need to keep our fingers crossed on other sides faultering.[/p][/quote]i think 75 points is more realistic when you look at where the top 7 have already got to. not impossible if we can stay on the roll. trouble is this group's confidence can disappear pretty quickly when they lose one but lets enjoy it while we can. 35 year fan

2:59pm Mon 4 Mar 13

Grandpont Tom says...

Well done OUFC. 2 good wins. All most fans ask is for the team to be competitive and for the occasional bit of glory. If we can carry on in the same vein, then at the very least there is a lot more hope for the future.
Well done OUFC. 2 good wins. All most fans ask is for the team to be competitive and for the occasional bit of glory. If we can carry on in the same vein, then at the very least there is a lot more hope for the future. Grandpont Tom

7:42pm Mon 4 Mar 13

martico1 says...

Right there with you, CW - but, as I am sure you will tell them, now they have to push on and do it all over again!

Well done Beano, too, for not doing a Chappo and sulking when he has to make way - in Beano's case almost without deserving it.

Now let's stuff it to Evans and rRaynor tomorow1
Right there with you, CW - but, as I am sure you will tell them, now they have to push on and do it all over again! Well done Beano, too, for not doing a Chappo and sulking when he has to make way - in Beano's case almost without deserving it. Now let's stuff it to Evans and rRaynor tomorow1 martico1

8:39am Tue 5 Mar 13

Richard Wickson says...

Grandpont Tom wrote:
Well done OUFC. 2 good wins. All most fans ask is for the team to be competitive and for the occasional bit of glory. If we can carry on in the same vein, then at the very least there is a lot more hope for the future.
Competitive is something that's been lacking most of the season but its nice to see it back, I think Wilder being prepared to shake things up will engender more and credit to him for doing it and to the players who have responded well, just a shame it's taken so long. Good luck for tonight, another win is a must if any play off hopes are realistic. As I said after Saturdays win we stood still in 11th place despite a very good win and that shows just how tight this League is, maybe with only 3 games played tonight if we beat Rotherham and Bradford and Chesterfield both lose we will move up tto 9th, it's what's needed.
[quote][p][bold]Grandpont Tom[/bold] wrote: Well done OUFC. 2 good wins. All most fans ask is for the team to be competitive and for the occasional bit of glory. If we can carry on in the same vein, then at the very least there is a lot more hope for the future.[/p][/quote]Competitive is something that's been lacking most of the season but its nice to see it back, I think Wilder being prepared to shake things up will engender more and credit to him for doing it and to the players who have responded well, just a shame it's taken so long. Good luck for tonight, another win is a must if any play off hopes are realistic. As I said after Saturdays win we stood still in 11th place despite a very good win and that shows just how tight this League is, maybe with only 3 games played tonight if we beat Rotherham and Bradford and Chesterfield both lose we will move up tto 9th, it's what's needed. Richard Wickson

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