Darren Patterson got the boot not just because results had been way below expectations, but because most of the players who had failed to deliver were his very own signings, writes JON MURRAY.

That was the feeling from above, and chairman Kelvin Thomas is now hoping those players that Patterson signed in the summer can improve to have a far better second half of the season.

Patterson gambled by plumping for players from League clubs to add a bit of quality, but it left him short on numbers.

And in the end, his squad proved too thin. So when suspensions and injuries hit, there were not enough senior players to handle the occasion.

Leading scorer James Constable has done OK, and so too has left back Chris Carruthers.

But Jamie Guy, Lewis Haldane and Joe Burnell have all disappointed.

The challenge for caretaker boss Jim Smith, and the new manager when he comes in, is to get more out of these three, and get some stability in away form before the new man takes over, which will probably be towards the end of this this month.

Patterson’s successor will be urged to try to bring in one or two strong characters who have the passion that, in recent years, Chris Hargreaves and Billy Turley have displayed, and which, encouragingly, Sam Deering is also showing in his performances.

Thomas held a meeting with the staff, and the players yesterday morning to explain why the club were parting company with Darren Patterson, and what he was looking for from others.

l SUPPORTERS Trust OxVox last night issued a statement following the managerial change, in which it urged the continued development of young players – something Patterson was good at.

“Given results this season, the departure of Darren Patterson was perhaps inevitable,” OxVox said.

“Under Darren Patterson a number of youth players were introduced to the first team squad and their enthusiasm and commitment has been striking.

“Developing players through the youth system must remain, in our view, a vital part of the club going forward.

“Fans will be looking to the senior players in the squad to show similar drive to the younger players, with passion and pride in the famous yellow shirts of Oxford United.

“The team needs to match their excellent home form with similar form away from home, and this will only happen if every player is dedicated to the cause.

l RIGHT back James Clarke is suspended for one game after accumulating five yellow cards, and he misses the Blue Square Premier game at Weymouth next Tuesday.