U's fan Chris Vessey talks to Mark Merritt, an Oxford United supporter, 35, from South Oxfordshire, currently working as a technician in high-tech industry.

CV - How has pre-season gone at Oxford United this summer?

Pretty well. The opener was a 3-1 win over local side Didcot Town; we also managed wins over Eastleigh, Bournemouth and a fairly strong Birmingham side. A creditable draw was earned at home to Wycombe, with the only defeat coming to Luton.

CV - After 20 games you were so far ahead and looked unbeatable. No one expected the spectacular collapse that was to follow. What went wrong?

Firstly credit must be given to Dagenham and Redbridge whose performance over the season was amazing, and who ran out worthy winners. In truth, the cracks had been there for all to see. We hadn't been creating anything like as many chances as you would expect from a team at the top of the league and the goals just dried up. The defence continued to perform well, but you're not going to win any title by going 11 games without a win.

CV - I was surprised to read Oxford had made quite a few cutbacks at the Kassam this summer, how has this affected Jim Smith's preparations?

It won't have affected his preparations, quite simply because he'd have known what was coming! Jim is a director at the club, and a close personal friend of the co-owners, Ian Lenagan and Nick Merry. The former is also owner of the Sports Café group and chairman of Harlequins RL, the latter being an ex-OUFC trainee who made his money with a medical company in the USA.

The three share a local in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, and the story goes that this is where the plan to rescue the club from Firoz Kassam was hatched! It is also worth mentioning that despite cutbacks, the club is budgeted to run at a managed loss over the next two seasons, with Merry and Lenagan carrying the costs.

CV - This new Setanta package has caused many a discussion on club forums up and down the country, and your own club have been picked a hefty six times in three months for TV coverage. How have the Oxford fans taken to it?

Bizarrely in my opinion! Initially there was outrage about Sunday games and Thursday games, but now every man and his dog seems to have subscribed. I'm at an utter loss to explain as to why we're so heavily featured.

CV - This week your former player Andy Burgess absolutely ripped into Jim Smith, claiming he cost the U's promotion. Is this the general consensus of supporters or just another case of former player bitterness?

Burgess the player divided Oxford fans. Some thought he was a genius and that the team (or even the world) should be built around him, and others thought he was erratic, idle and lacking in drive. I'll freely admit to falling in the latter camp.

Andy's words have turned the majority of OUFC supporters against him, most pinning any blame as equally on him and his cohorts. Clichéd though it is, the players are the only ones that can win you promotion.

This said, few would argue that Jim Smith is very much from the old school of football management. Them grapes is sour, Andy.

CV - If Oxford fail to win promotion to the Football League, will that be the end of club legend Jim Smith?

Lenagan has publicly stated that Jim has a job for life and if Jim goes it will be of his own accord. If promotion is not achieved, I would expect huge fan pressure for Jim to hand over the reigns to assistant Darren Patterson who is very highly regarded. Indeed, many think 'Patto' should already be in charge.

CV - In your honest opinion, will Oxford United repeat the near success of last season?

We'll be thereabouts. The meanest defence in non-league remains intact and probably improved!

CV - Who are your tips for promotion and relegation?

I expect the lucky two to come from Burton, Exeter, York, Stevenage and Oxford. I don't think Torquay have got a prayer, and it's hard to see anyone else emerging from the pack. (You're more than welcome to follow us up of course!)

Altrincham are certs for relegation and Stafford are likely to accompany them. I'd expect Farsley, Droylsden, Salisbury, Grays, Woking or Crawley to supply the other two. Histon will survive this season.

CV - And finally... what do you think the score will be on Thursday?

2-0 to you guys, we'll be getting the unbeaten tag out of the way early this season...

Many thanks to Mark for giving his time to answer these questions.

Chris Vessey

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