MICKEY Lewis is one of the nicest blokes you will ever meet.

But was it because he was TOO nice, that his reign as manager of Oxford United was so short-lived?

Lewis was brilliant to work with from a Press point of view, always keeping his word, going out of his way to help you, and always willing to talk about anything.

He was the players' choice to take over from Malcolm Shotton and, in his spell of just over three months in charge, it was clear that they were much more confident about themselves.

But perhaps he was so close to most of the players that it seems he found it difficult - where Shotton didn't - to wield the axe.

Signings always play a part in a way a manager is judged.

On that score, the jury is still out, with Nigel Jemson Lewis's only new recruit.

Shotton, however, failed on that score. He signed some good players, the likes of Mark Watson and Paul Lundin, but brought too many average players to the Manor.

Lewis deserves another chance of management further down the line, with, possibly, a different group of players.

His coaching skills are of the highest quality, and as a testament to his man-management, Watson, an experienced international player, said that as far as dealing with players is concerned, Mickey is the best he's known.

The main criticism of Lewis - and you must not forget that he was very inexperienced - is that he knew only one way of playing football - passing the ball and working your way into goalscoring positions.

All credit to him for sticking to what he believed in, but there were occasions when he needed to change his tactics to get on top of the opposition.

At times, it cried out for him to introduce more forceful ideas, Nottingham Forest at home in the FA Cup being an obvious example.

Lewis changed his tactics and reverted to a three-man front line. It was an inspired move. David Platt's side didn't know what had hit them early on.

But, Platt then realised what Lewis had done and changed his formation to combat Oxford's threat. Forest were very lucky to win 3-1, but it appeared from the stands that once they started to take control, United ran out of ideas. The other criticism levelled at Lewis was in his substitutions - or rather lack of them.

Games were drifting along with nothing happening, but Lewis seemed reluctant to change the system or the personnel. Maybe he needed to take a chance.

Lately, he has been let down by the players.

His strikers failed to take some golden opportunities and some individual defensive errors started to creep in.

It is typical of 'Mad Dog' though, that immediately he heard the news about Denis Smith, he was looking forward to getting back with the youth team.

"We played with some very young sides when I was in charge and, although some results went against us, I felt that losing did the side more good. "Young players can turn in a good all-round performance, but make one mistake, see the side lose by that goal, and they will learn a hell of a lot from it.

"Obviously, with the first team you have to win and we want to breed winners, but with the young players, I really believe that they learnt from their mistakes."

Lewis always knew that the good of the club was paramount. He is Oxford United through and through and will always be a fans' favourite.

He did not make it this time, but write him off at your peril. With plenty more years to learn from the likes of Smith, Lewis will, one day, succeed as a manager and go places. STILL BARKING OUT THE ORDERS: Mickey Lewis at training yesterday

Story date: Saturday 05 February

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