United News
Macca eyes Exeter switch
Craig McAllister appears poised to move from Oxford United to Exeter City after having talks with the Conference play-off finalists this week.
The 27-year-old striker was released by U's boss Darren Patterson at the end of this season, along with Justin Richards, Jamie Hand, Carl Pettefer and Danny Rose, plus Rob Duffy and Michael Blackwood who he had previously indicated he wouldn't be keeping.
Exeter boss Paul Tisdale has this week held discussions with McAllister, who hit two goals in nine starts and eight sub appearances for Oxford, but didn't quite do enough to earn a new contract with the U's.
And the Devon club are expected to make an announcement about capturing the Scottish striker early next week.
That in itself is a surprise, because the Grecians don't yet know which division they will be in.
After beating local rivals Torquay in the play-off semi-finals, they now face Cambridge United in the play-off final next weekend, with the winners joining Blue Square Premier champions Aldershot Town in the Football League next season.
Most of Exeter's other strikers are already committed to the club.
Former Oxford United favourite Steve Basham signed a two-year deal when he joined them 11 months ago and is only partway through that.
Adam Stansfield recently signed an extension to his deal, which takes him through to next season, while Richard Logan, who is out of contract this month, is locked in talks with the club.
United boss Patterson admitted he couldn't be certain that McAllister would remain injury-free and that played a part in his decision to axe him.
"His injury record and his goals tally, since he's been here, have both worked against him," Patterson said. "He's been unfortunate with the number of goals but it was the medical side as well.
"Craig was one we thought long and hard about but we've got other targets in mind."
8:00am Saturday 10th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Long John Silver on 6:55pm Sat 10 May 08
Another player this so called bloody football club will let go that will come back to haunt us. patterson and merry do not have a clue.
Zebroski, Sills 40 goals between them, Hargraves a battler, giving 100%.
patterson is pathetic and should go now!!!!!
Another player this so called bloody football club will let go that will come back to haunt us. patterson and merry do not have a clue.
Zebroski, Sills 40 goals between them, Hargraves a battler, giving 100%.
patterson is pathetic and should go now!!!!!
Posted by: Nick Cusack, Oxford on 7:36pm Sat 10 May 08
Long Silver, you have shown your football nativity i am afraid. Tim Sills and Chris Zebroski? You really think they are the players to take our club forward...stick to making your flags. How well have the gulls done this season? exactly, blown it. Patto knows what he is doing. And your comment about Hargreaves...most prob one of the most ineffective midfielders to wear our shirt.
DARREN PATTERSONS YELLOW AMRY.
Long Silver, you have shown your football nativity i am afraid. Tim Sills and Chris Zebroski? You really think they are the players to take our club forward...stick to making your flags. How well have the gulls done this season? exactly, blown it. Patto knows what he is doing. And your comment about Hargreaves...most prob one of the most ineffective midfielders to wear our shirt.
DARREN PATTERSONS YELLOW AMRY.
Posted by: Richard Jackson on 8:54pm Sat 10 May 08
Long John Silver, you muppet sod off back to Swindon where nuts like you belong.
Long John Silver, you muppet sod off back to Swindon where nuts like you belong.
Posted by: Richard Jackson on 8:54pm Sat 10 May 08
Long John Silver, you muppet sod off back to Swindon where nuts like you belong.
Long John Silver, you muppet sod off back to Swindon where nuts like you belong.
Posted by: Pete Bradley, Banbury on 9:47pm Sat 10 May 08
Is it really Long John Silver though? My moneys on oxford1965. Now he is one bitter, twisted, stupid muppet.
Is it really Long John Silver though? My moneys on oxford1965. Now he is one bitter, twisted, stupid muppet.
Posted by: Brighton Steve on 10:10pm Sat 10 May 08
The same one that has had nothing but positive things to say on these news items since they began?????
You really are a muppet.
The same one that has had nothing but positive things to say on these news items since they began?????
You really are a muppet.
Posted by: Brighton Steve on 10:11pm Sat 10 May 08
The same one that has had nothing but positive things to say on these news items since they began?????
You really are a muppet.
The same one that has had nothing but positive things to say on these news items since they began?????
You really are a muppet.
Posted by: Yellow Ken, witney on 10:13pm Sat 10 May 08
Aaahh that's better! Didn't take long for some so called fans to start moaning again did it?
Moan during the season, moan when the season is over! Do you also moan about Oxford when you are sleeping?
Get behind the club, board and manager for a change!
Aaahh that's better! Didn't take long for some so called fans to start moaning again did it?
Moan during the season, moan when the season is over! Do you also moan about Oxford when you are sleeping?
Get behind the club, board and manager for a change!
Posted by: Open your eyes on 12:34am Sun 11 May 08
That isn't Long John Silver and he has posted on the official forum to clarify that.
Some sad pathetic loser seems to get enjoyment from being a complete tool.
Quite sad really.
That isn't Long John Silver and he has posted on the official forum to clarify that.
Some sad pathetic loser seems to get enjoyment from being a complete tool.
Quite sad really.
Posted by: Co Prins, Holland on 4:23am Sun 11 May 08
Well who ever he is, I think he makes a valid point
Well who ever he is, I think he makes a valid point
Posted by: Mikey, Mars on 10:45am Sun 11 May 08
LJS has made a good point about letting players go. Sills was not given enough of a chance and Hargreaves still had it in him. But you are a complete Turkey....this has what to do with Patterson?????? Why don't you move into space? Jerk!
LJS has made a good point about letting players go. Sills was not given enough of a chance and Hargreaves still had it in him. But you are a complete Turkey....this has what to do with Patterson?????? Why don't you move into space? Jerk!
Posted by: YM on 11:07am Sun 11 May 08
IF we kept every player because we were worried he would score against us we would have a bl**dy big squad wouldn't we!!!
I think Patto's decision is correct and by giving him our support perhaps we can get out of this division (going up) and then we would avoid a huge chunk of ex players
If Exeter sign Macca and miss out on promotion and he scores against us next season, big deal we just have to make sure we score more then them..
IF we kept every player because we were worried he would score against us we would have a bl**dy big squad wouldn't we!!!
I think Patto's decision is correct and by giving him our support perhaps we can get out of this division (going up) and then we would avoid a huge chunk of ex players
If Exeter sign Macca and miss out on promotion and he scores against us next season, big deal we just have to make sure we score more then them..
Posted by: Happy, here on 1:15pm Sun 11 May 08
When will people realise we he did not get a contract because he never quite made the grade at United. Millwall have never wanted to get rid of Zeb hense his new contract with them, Sills and players alike never truely performed consistantly to gain a contract and true this has nothing to do with our current manager. It is players like Green that we should be pulling all the stops out to sign after all he really has proven that he is worth keeping.
When will people realise we he did not get a contract because he never quite made the grade at United. Millwall have never wanted to get rid of Zeb hense his new contract with them, Sills and players alike never truely performed consistantly to gain a contract and true this has nothing to do with our current manager. It is players like Green that we should be pulling all the stops out to sign after all he really has proven that he is worth keeping.
Posted by: Long John Silver on 2:00pm Sun 11 May 08
I stand by what I said, too many players have been let go, that become good players elsewhere, says a lot about our coaching set up.
Oh and I AM the real ljs, just fed up of having to justify myself if I wish to say something others may not agree with.
I stand by what I said, too many players have been let go, that become good players elsewhere, says a lot about our coaching set up.
Oh and I AM the real ljs, just fed up of having to justify myself if I wish to say something others may not agree with.
Posted by: PATTOS ARMY, Oxford on 4:29pm Sun 11 May 08
Craig scored naff all for us, bit bad when power trainer scored more and he is no striker!! Ok he could hold the ball up, but nothing major special.
Id be far worried if someone like Murray didn't stay them him.
He is 1 player, and not exactly a player we can't win without him playing. No disrespect to the lad and I wish him luck, but nothing tosay Patto doesn't no what he's doing. People seem to think some else is always better. Maybe if we stood united we'd go somewhere. Your supposed to support the club, and fight against them all time.
Craig scored naff all for us, bit bad when power trainer scored more and he is no striker!! Ok he could hold the ball up, but nothing major special.
Id be far worried if someone like Murray didn't stay them him.
He is 1 player, and not exactly a player we can't win without him playing. No disrespect to the lad and I wish him luck, but nothing tosay Patto doesn't no what he's doing. People seem to think some else is always better. Maybe if we stood united we'd go somewhere. Your supposed to support the club, and fight against them all time.
Posted by: Long John Silver on 5:23pm Sun 11 May 08
[quote][bold]PATTOS ARMY[/bold] wrote:
Craig scored naff all for us, bit bad when power trainer scored more and he is no striker!! Ok he could hold the ball up, but nothing major special. Id be far worried if someone like Murray didn't stay them him. He is 1 player, and not exactly a player we can't win without him playing. No disrespect to the lad and I wish him luck, but nothing tosay Patto doesn't no what he's doing. People seem to think some else is always better. Maybe if we stood united we'd go somewhere. Your supposed to support the club, and fight against them all time. [/quote] Who the hell is craig?
It's called democracy, the right of free speech you neandertal.
PATTOS ARMY wrote:
Craig scored naff all for us, bit bad when power trainer scored more and he is no striker!! Ok he could hold the ball up, but nothing major special. Id be far worried if someone like Murray didn't stay them him. He is 1 player, and not exactly a player we can't win without him playing. No disrespect to the lad and I wish him luck, but nothing tosay Patto doesn't no what he's doing. People seem to think some else is always better. Maybe if we stood united we'd go somewhere. Your supposed to support the club, and fight against them all time.
Who the hell is craig?
It's called democracy, the right of free speech you neandertal.
Posted by: Gregg, Oxford on 9:02pm Sun 11 May 08
Mcallister is a good player at this level but Patto obviously has an idea of the type of player he wants at the club and what will compliment his tactics.
From what i saw at ebsfleet, i get the feeling patto is keen on penetration and goals(Calm down JB). Yemi and green plus one more good striker will be the force that will get us back to league football. Also Fisher needs to start making a difference....if he is still not ready then no point in keeping him.
Mcallister is a good player at this level but Patto obviously has an idea of the type of player he wants at the club and what will compliment his tactics.
From what i saw at ebsfleet, i get the feeling patto is keen on penetration and goals(Calm down JB). Yemi and green plus one more good striker will be the force that will get us back to league football. Also Fisher needs to start making a difference....if he is still not ready then no point in keeping him.
Posted by: Bicester Dave, Bicester on 10:29am Mon 12 May 08
[quote][bold]Gregg[/bold] wrote:
Mcallister is a good player at this level but Patto obviously has an idea of the type of player he wants at the club and what will compliment his tactics. From what i saw at ebsfleet, i get the feeling patto is keen on penetration and goals(Calm down JB). Yemi and green plus one more good striker will be the force that will get us back to league football. Also Fisher needs to start making a difference....if he is still not ready then no point in keeping him. [/quote] I certainly hope we are not pinning our hopes on Yemi for next season. He came good in a handful of games at the end of last season, and looks good in training, but when it really mattered last season he did not deliver.
Can Yemi score 20 goals, and put in consistent performances for us over 46 games?
Gregg wrote:
Mcallister is a good player at this level but Patto obviously has an idea of the type of player he wants at the club and what will compliment his tactics. From what i saw at ebsfleet, i get the feeling patto is keen on penetration and goals(Calm down JB). Yemi and green plus one more good striker will be the force that will get us back to league football. Also Fisher needs to start making a difference....if he is still not ready then no point in keeping him.
I certainly hope we are not pinning our hopes on Yemi for next season. He came good in a handful of games at the end of last season, and looks good in training, but when it really mattered last season he did not deliver.
Can Yemi score 20 goals, and put in consistent performances for us over 46 games?
Posted by: Alex on 3:16pm Mon 12 May 08
I wouldn't be suprised if Patto is looking at someone similar to McCallister to link up the play. I think Yemi benifited from that and Green did as well. It also helps the defence push further up the field if someone can hold the ball up and lat it off intelligently.
LJS does 'almost' make a valid point; in the past Oxford has tended to be a graveyard for strikers. Over the past 3 or 4 seasons we have taken strikers who have looked potent and turned them into no-hopers! Thankfully, I think Patto knows what he is doing and we wont see that again!
I wouldn't be suprised if Patto is looking at someone similar to McCallister to link up the play. I think Yemi benifited from that and Green did as well. It also helps the defence push further up the field if someone can hold the ball up and lat it off intelligently.
LJS does 'almost' make a valid point; in the past Oxford has tended to be a graveyard for strikers. Over the past 3 or 4 seasons we have taken strikers who have looked potent and turned them into no-hopers! Thankfully, I think Patto knows what he is doing and we wont see that again!
Posted by: Simon, Cheshire on 7:11pm Tue 13 May 08
I think Long John does have a bit of a point to be honest.
Although I do have different point to make about lack of transfer activity before you shout I know it is early days but Graham Westley has been at Stevenage for about 10 days now and he has signed 4 new payers to date and we have signed none. 1 of those 4 is our very own Eddie Anaclet. Are finances that bad that we can only offer poor wages? That would suprise with our crowds etc. I know Patterson will probably blame lack of activity on the wage cap etc which he has done ever since he has been manager. We had a lack of activity last summer cos Jim was too busy sunning himself rather than signing players and look what happened to us then. Doesnt look good does it another mediocre season to look forward too.
My last point is why do people on this site often say Patterson out personally im not his biggest fan but with Nick Merry we will not get a new manager. We should of had a new manager when Jim resigned but he took the cheap option he will continue to do that and Oxford will continue to be in non-league football. I say Merry out hes been utterly useless for this club and will contiue to be.
I wonder how many people I will get moaning about me moaning which alot of people tend to do on this site.
I think Long John does have a bit of a point to be honest.
Although I do have different point to make about lack of transfer activity before you shout I know it is early days but Graham Westley has been at Stevenage for about 10 days now and he has signed 4 new payers to date and we have signed none. 1 of those 4 is our very own Eddie Anaclet. Are finances that bad that we can only offer poor wages? That would suprise with our crowds etc. I know Patterson will probably blame lack of activity on the wage cap etc which he has done ever since he has been manager. We had a lack of activity last summer cos Jim was too busy sunning himself rather than signing players and look what happened to us then. Doesnt look good does it another mediocre season to look forward too.
My last point is why do people on this site often say Patterson out personally im not his biggest fan but with Nick Merry we will not get a new manager. We should of had a new manager when Jim resigned but he took the cheap option he will continue to do that and Oxford will continue to be in non-league football. I say Merry out hes been utterly useless for this club and will contiue to be.
I wonder how many people I will get moaning about me moaning which alot of people tend to do on this site.
Posted by: darzet boy, dorset on 1:51pm Thu 15 May 08
Having just read this site for the first time I have to say that I am appalled at the level of grammar and spelling. We do our club, and ourselves, no favours if we cannot articulate our opinions in correctly written English.
Oxford is supposed to be a seat of learning but most people on this site don't appear to have learnt a great deal at all.
Having just read this site for the first time I have to say that I am appalled at the level of grammar and spelling. We do our club, and ourselves, no favours if we cannot articulate our opinions in correctly written English.
Oxford is supposed to be a seat of learning but most people on this site don't appear to have learnt a great deal at all.
Posted by: Anon, Oxford on 8:30pm Thu 15 May 08
[quote][bold]darzet boy[/bold] wrote:
Having just read this site for the first time I have to say that I am appalled at the level of grammar and spelling. We do our club, and ourselves, no favours if we cannot articulate our opinions in correctly written English. Oxford is supposed to be a seat of learning but most people on this site don't appear to have learnt a great deal at all.[/quote] Idiot!
darzet boy wrote:
Having just read this site for the first time I have to say that I am appalled at the level of grammar and spelling. We do our club, and ourselves, no favours if we cannot articulate our opinions in correctly written English. Oxford is supposed to be a seat of learning but most people on this site don't appear to have learnt a great deal at all.
Idiot!
Posted by: Marcus, Chippy on 4:53pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]darzet boy[/bold] wrote:
Having just read this site for the first time I have to say that I am appalled at the level of grammar and spelling. We do our club, and ourselves, no favours if we cannot articulate our opinions in correctly written English. Oxford is supposed to be a seat of learning but most people on this site don't appear to have learnt a great deal at all.[/quote] You have a cheek to complain at others when you have incorrectly used 2 comma's. Also have a look at learnt too!
What a prat!
darzet boy wrote:
Having just read this site for the first time I have to say that I am appalled at the level of grammar and spelling. We do our club, and ourselves, no favours if we cannot articulate our opinions in correctly written English. Oxford is supposed to be a seat of learning but most people on this site don't appear to have learnt a great deal at all.
You have a cheek to complain at others when you have incorrectly used 2 comma's. Also have a look at learnt too!
What a prat!
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
