Like every other OUFC supporter I’m mightily relieved that we’re playing League 1 football next season, so I’ll be having a beer or two this evening to celebrate.
In some ways it feels wrong to celebrate what amounts to a poor season but from where we were after the Bristol Rovers game to where we are now as a football team is worth acknowledging and applauding.
In fairness I thought we should’ve gone for Appleton, but credit where credit’s due Manning and his assistant Hogg have done an excellent job. They did exactly what was needed to be done, made us more difficult to beat, gave the defence more protection, made sure the players knew in simple terms what their respective roles and responsibilities were on the pitch. They’ve slowly but surely installed the much needed belief and confidence into the players, and we can all see the benefit of their attention to detail and professionalism, particularly in the last few matches.
All of that after inheriting a complete mess left from Robinson. But the job has only just started for Manning and co, and the awful recruitment and management of our club over the last 18 months now needs to be rectified. I’m looking forward to seeing what sort of squad Manning puts together for next season.
The more I hear from Manning the more I like him. It’s so refreshing to hear the manager of our club talk in calm, and rationale manner. I think we’ve got a good ‘un.
No hyperbole, no gibberish, no, throwing players under a bus, no nonsensical emotive bullshit.