"WILD THING" HAS THE LOCALS PUTTING THEIR SHIRTS ON OXFORD.............

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER LEAGUE

OXFORD UNITED - TORQUAY UNITED

We were with United pre season to get promotion and despite being deducted five points for fielding an ineligible player, the dream is still alive, after an incredible run under new boss Chris Wilder. Since taking charge and losing his first game, Oxford have since registered eight wins and a draw from nine starts. That opening loss came at Salisbury, when Wilder admitted he got the tactics wrong, but showed his worth by ,after going two down inside 17 mins, immeditely changed everything around and almost turned the match around. Those 17 minutes aside, his team have conceded just 4 goals in ten starts, allowing one every 221 minutes, they are very solid at the back now and have as much offensive threat as any team in the BSP. Wilder is keeping everyone on their toes, he released two players this week and signed another defender.

I have told you many times how big this club is at non league level, they will have a huge crowd today, probably 6,000 +, despite the match being televised and to give you some idea of their potential, the club shop has sold 750 shirts this week ! Many BSP clubs would not sell half that number in a season !

This run has got the supporters buzzing and crowds of 8k + will be commonplace if the run continues. They are looking for an eighth straight win at the Kassam Stadium and they are my strongest selection of the day.

In the reverse fixture, which ended 1-1, Oxford had a huge number of clear cut chances, including nine on target and were also denied a clear penalty as time expired, a decision which still rankles. Torquay are currently in the final playoff spot, three points ahead of the home side, with two games in hand, so you can see how vital the points are today. The visitors are not in great shape, have collected just one win in five starts, conceding 11 goals, including a heavy cup loss to a lower level team and having to battle for a draw, after trailing struggling Forest Green Rovers 3-1 in midweek. They will not find it so easy to get back into the game, if falling behind this evening. Home win.

7 points Oxford United -1/4 ball 1.96 asian line.

Good Luck.