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Macca eyes Exeter switch
8:00am Saturday 10th May 2008
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."
Your Say YourOxford
Nick Cusack, Oxford says...
7:36pm Sat 10 May 08
DARREN PATTERSONS YELLOW AMRY.
Richard Jackson, says...
8:54pm today Sat 10 May 08
Richard Jackson, says...
8:54pm today Sat 10 May 08
Pete Bradley, Banbury says...
9:47pm Sat 10 May 08
Brighton Steve, says...
10:10pm Sat 10 May 08
You really are a muppet.
Brighton Steve, says...
10:11pm Sat 10 May 08
You really are a muppet.
Yellow Ken, witney says...
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!
Open your eyes, says...
12:34am Sun 11 May 08
Some sad pathetic loser seems to get enjoyment from being a complete tool.
Quite sad really.
Co Prins, Holland says...
4:23am Sun 11 May 08
Mikey, Mars says...
10:45am Sun 11 May 08
YM, says...
11:07am Sun 11 May 08
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..
Happy, here says...
1:15pm Sun 11 May 08
Long John Silver, says...
2:00pm Sun 11 May 08
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.
PATTOS ARMY, Oxford says...
4:29pm Sun 11 May 08
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.
Long John Silver, says...
5:23pm Sun 11 May 08
PATTOS ARMY wrote:Who the hell is craig?
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.
It's called democracy, the right of free speech you neandertal.
Gregg, Oxford says...
9:02pm Sun 11 May 08
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.
Bicester Dave, Bicester says...
10:29am Mon 12 May 08
Gregg wrote: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.
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.
Can Yemi score 20 goals, and put in consistent performances for us over 46 games?
Alex, says...
3:16pm Mon 12 May 08
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!
Simon, Cheshire says...
7:11pm Tue 13 May 08
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.
darzet boy, dorset says...
1:51pm Thu 15 May 08
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.
Anon, Oxford says...
8:30pm Thu 15 May 08
darzet boy wrote:Idiot!
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.
Marcus, Chippy says...
4:53pm Fri 16 May 08
darzet boy wrote:You have a cheek to complain at others when you have incorrectly used 2 comma's. Also have a look at learnt too!
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.
What a prat!
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Long John Silver, says...
6:55pm Sat 10 May 08
Zebroski, Sills 40 goals between them, Hargraves a battler, giving 100%.
patterson is pathetic and should go now!!!!!