I met Jim Smith a few times over the years. Very nice man. I met him at a corporate 'do' around that time. He said of Burgess 'Championship ability, Sunday League effort'. Said Burgess and Rob Duffy were both extremely lazy in training. Thought Burgess was talented but he (Jim) said he just couldn't make him understand he had to put the work in.
I did consider putting a "if he's not gone to fat in Brazil" clause into my original post. No idea what condition he's in, but if he's match fit, would still have him back. I think a lot of our fans had the attitude with Ruben, and other players, that as we'd stayed up one season in the Championship we would be taking big steps to the next level with the quality of players coming in. Sometimes you can throw the baby out with the bath water, and I think that's what we did with Ruben when we let him go. I always remember the way Wilder dismantled his Conference promotion team too in a similar vein. I think he himself admitted that was a mistake a few years later.
He's actually only had 8 months away from first team football, because he was playing for us in May 2025.
Yeah. I'm not advocating his return, particularly because of the number of midfielders we already have (despite Tyler and Donely's injuries). As much as we're enjoying MPH out wide, he could also play more centrally, and BDK could also be moved further forward.
Clearly not a Secret Agent
The only shirt in the football league with a built in coat hanger.
Fixed it for you.
Tyler Roberts The man who thought I am
I thought Herbie Kane would do better
Maybe it’s a different one , only good enough to play for Plymouth
But still got the worst accent of any Oxford player I can remember
