Yemi Odubade, the Oxford United fans' favourite last season, is convinced he can better last year's tally of goals.

And he says boss Jim Smith has told him he's looking for more of an end product from him.

It's been a frustrating build-up for Odubade, who has had to miss the final week of pre-season games because of an abdominal strain, although Smith says that has been mainly precautionary.

The former Eastbourne Borough striker looks certain to be involved against Forest Green tomorrow, although there's a chance he will be on the bench, as he was so often at the start of last season.

Yemi's enthusiasm for the new campaign is infectious.

"I can't wait for the season to start," he said. "I'm raring to go . . . I really want to start winning games and, fingers crossed, go back up.

"I think I got 13 goals last year. That was all right considering I didn't start every game - but I've set myself a target. It's more than that - but I'm not going to say what it is."

He may not want to put extra pressure on himself by publicly declaring the number of goals he wants, but he knows he can do better.

"I think I need to score more goals, that's what the manager's said to me," he added. " I'm doing all right in training, but I want to score more in matches.

"I know we've got more competition this season, but I'm not frightened of the extra competition because it makes you improve, play better and get better, and it's what Oxford needs.

"Joel Ledgister is possibly more of a winger, but really there are about five of us after the front places, which is healthy competition.

"I want to start, like any player. I did well when coming off the bench in the early part of last season, and was happy, but I'm looking to start matches."

THE bookmakers can't seem to decide whether to make Oxford United or Stevenage Borough favourites to win this year's Blue Square Premier.

Oxford are 5-1 favourites with Betfred, Boylesports and Paddy Power, while Betdirect and Skybet make Stevenage favourites and Blue Square, Coral and Ladbrokes can't choose between them.

Next in the list are Torquay at a best-priced 8-1, with Farsley Celtic the 100-1 outsiders.

The team that pipped Oxford to the Conference title last season were Dagenham, of course, and their experienced manager, John Still, says he finds it hard to pick a stand-out team.

But he picks out runners-up Oxford, FA Trophy winners Stevenage, Trophy runners-up Kidderminster, play-off final losers Exeter and relegated Torquay as the group to provide the winners next May.

"If I was a betting man I'd have money on it being one of them," Still said.