CaptainOx

Just on our financial situation - I don't think we're gambling but our gradual increase to the budget each season is financed by our newish rich owners. It isn't lobbing money that doesn't exist at it, rather an increase to playing budget that is far greater than we have seen under previous ownerships as they have the ability to provide it. Wages are up, but we aren't in a position to go and throw many substantial fees around. We have historically needed a chunky sale or two every season to help with the budget but the new ownership has meant this is less imperative but every club at this level is a selling club if a sizeable offer comes in.
Current owners completed their takeover in September 2022, having been part of the board and minority shareholders prior to that. They're in a different ballpark of ownership to anything we've ever experienced which is why someone like Cam Brannagan is on the highest wage packet in the club's history as part of his new deal signed when Blackpool had triggered his previous release clause prior to the 22/23 season. They are also funding the new stadium project with planning application due in imminently.
In this window so far, we've seen 4 season long loans ended early due to recall and injury, as well as a player move on permanently. 2 half season loans have come in, so budget wise we've still got room to manoeuvre in this window. I don't believe there is any increase expected unless a player suddenly becomes available that the manager and board want to push the boat out for.
Elsewhere in the league, Charlton's new owners seem to be keen to spend some money with the JCH and Ladapo interest as well as the fees spent on Conor Coventry and Macaulay Gillesphey. Bolton seem to be able to strengthen as required, not sure on their financial situation any more whilst Peterborough always seem to work on selling a player a season to fund additions from lower down the period. 

Just on our financial situation - I don't think we're gambling but our gradual increase to the budget each season is financed by our newish rich owners. It isn't lobbing money that doesn't exist at it, rather an increase to playing budget that is far greater than we have seen under previous ownerships as they have the ability to provide it. Wages are up, but we aren't in a position to go and throw many substantial fees around. We have historically needed a chunky sale or two every season to help with the budget but the new ownership has meant this is less imperative but every club at this level is a selling club if a sizeable offer comes in.
Current owners completed their takeover in September 2022, having been part of the board and minority shareholders prior to that. They're in a different ballpark of ownership to anything we've ever experienced which is why someone like Cam Brannagan is on the highest wage packet in the club's history as part of his new deal signed when Blackpool had triggered his previous release clause prior to the 22/23 season. They are also funding the new stadium project with planning application due in imminently.
In this window so far, we've seen 4 season long loans ended early due to recall and injury, as well as a player move on permanently. 2 half season loans have come in, so budget wise we've still got room to manoeuvre in this window. I don't believe there is any increase expected unless a player suddenly becomes available that the manager and board want to push the boat out for.
Elsewhere in the league, Charlton's new owners seem to be keen to spend some money with the JCH and Ladapo interest as well as the fees spent on Conor Coventry and Macaulay Gillesphey. Bolton seem to be able to strengthen as required, not sure on their financial situation any more whilst Peterborough always seem to work on selling a player a season to fund additions from lower down the period. 

Just on our financial situation - I don't think we're gambling but our gradual increase to the budget each season is financed by our newish rich owners. It isn't lobbing money that doesn't exist at it, rather an increase to playing budget that is far greater than we have seen under previous ownerships as they have the ability to provide it. Wages are up, but we aren't in a position to go and throw many substantial fees around. We have historically needed a chunky sale or two every season to help with the budget but the new ownership has meant this is less imperative but every club at this level is a selling club if a sizeable offer comes in.
Current owners completed their takeover in September 2022, having been part of the board and minority shareholders prior to that. They're in a different ballpark of ownership to anything we've ever experienced which is why someone like Cam Brannagan is on the highest wage packet in the club's history as part of his new deal signed when Blackpool had triggered his previous release clause prior to the 22/23 season. They are also funding the new stadium project with planning application due in imminently.
In this window so far, we've seen 4 season long loans ended early due to recall and injury, as well as a player move on permanently. 2 half season loans have come in, so budget wise we've still got room to manoeuvre in this window. I don't believe there is any increase expected unless a player suddenly becomes available that the manager and board want to push the boat out for.
Elsewhere in the league, Charlton's new owners seem to be keen to spend some money with the JCH and Ladapo interest as well as the fees spent on Conor Coventry and Macaulay Gillesphey. Bolton seem to be able to strengthen as required, not sure on their financial situation any more whilst Peterborough always seem to work on selling a player a season to fund additions from lower down the period. 

There's one semi-reliable poster at our end who seems to think he's coming. But none of our media have picked up on anything yet (though they rarely do). The one "gospel" poster has yet to make any comment and the people I'd trust are yet to comment.

Would be something very ironic about Rodrigues choosing us considering he was initially identified by a certain former head of recruitment after his first full season at Notts.
Warne and Manning's default styles are quite different. Manning's certainly a closer match to Notts County's from last season. That's about the only thing I can think that might sway it at this point in time. I suppose he might be a guaranteed starter for us as well, whereas I'd expect you guys to sign enough players to have a good choice now you have the restrictions lifted.
Probably sold him the whole new stadium is coming vision as well, not that he'll be around to see it if he does well.

There's one semi-reliable poster at our end who seems to think he's coming. But none of our media have picked up on anything yet (though they rarely do). The one "gospel" poster has yet to make any comment and the people I'd trust are yet to comment.

Would be something very ironic about Rodrigues choosing us considering he was initially identified by a certain former head of recruitment after his first full season at Notts.
Warne and Manning's default styles are quite different. Manning's certainly a closer match to Notts County's from last season. That's about the only thing I can think that might sway it at this point in time. I suppose he might be a guaranteed starter for us as well, whereas I'd expect you guys to sign enough players to have a good choice now you have the restrictions lifted.
Probably sold him the whole new stadium is coming vision as well, not that he'll be around to see it if he does well.

Indeed

- Gavin Whyte signed from Crusaders for less than £100k.
One season then bought for £2m by Cardiff. Just been released by them.

- Mark Sykes signed from Glenavon for a 'nominal fee'.
4 seasons, then ran his contract down and signed for Bristol City on a free. Regular in the Championship last season.

- Luke McNally signed from St Pat's Athletic for a 'five-figure fee with add ons".
Sold to Burnley 18months later for circa £2m. Spent second half of this season on loan at Coventry.

Joel Cooper from Linfield also but he had personal issues so barely played and was loan out a couple of times before moving back.

Two of the current squad were some of Thomas' final signings
Ed McGinty, a keeper signed from Sligo Rovers last summer
Stephan Negru signed in January from Shelbourne

Done quite well with players signed from Scottish teams also - Chris Cadden, Alex Gorrin, Marvin Johnson.

Indeed

- Gavin Whyte signed from Crusaders for less than £100k.
One season then bought for £2m by Cardiff. Just been released by them.

- Mark Sykes signed from Glenavon for a 'nominal fee'.
4 seasons, then ran his contract down and signed for Bristol City on a free. Regular in the Championship last season.

- Luke McNally signed from St Pat's Athletic for a 'five-figure fee with add ons".
Sold to Burnley 18months later for circa £2m. Spent second half of this season on loan at Coventry.

Joel Cooper from Linfield also but he had personal issues so barely played and was loan out a couple of times before moving back.

Two of the current squad were some of Thomas' final signings
Ed McGinty, a keeper signed from Sligo Rovers last summer
Stephan Negru signed in January from Shelbourne

Done quite well with players signed from Scottish teams also - Chris Cadden, Alex Gorrin, Marvin Johnson.

Indeed

- Gavin Whyte signed from Crusaders for less than £100k.
One season then bought for £2m by Cardiff. Just been released by them.

- Mark Sykes signed from Glenavon for a 'nominal fee'.
4 seasons, then ran his contract down and signed for Bristol City on a free. Regular in the Championship last season.

- Luke McNally signed from St Pat's Athletic for a 'five-figure fee with add ons".
Sold to Burnley 18months later for circa £2m. Spent second half of this season on loan at Coventry.

Joel Cooper from Linfield also but he had personal issues so barely played and was loan out a couple of times before moving back.

Two of the current squad were some of Thomas' final signings
Ed McGinty, a keeper signed from Sligo Rovers last summer
Stephan Negru signed in January from Shelbourne

Done quite well with players signed from Scottish teams also - Chris Cadden, Alex Gorrin, Marvin Johnson.

Haven't a clue how this might go. 
Given recent performances and results, it could well be a rout. 
1 point from 27, 3 goals in that time, with just 1 being from open play. 
Though there were signs of green shoots at Lincoln under Craig Short as caretaker. 
Rumoured to be close to a managerial appointment in time for Saturday, whether they'll be in charge is an unknown so could be potential for a new manager bounce though if it saves itself for Morecambe and Cheltenham in the weeks following that isn't the worst thing. 

Haven't a clue how this might go. 
Given recent performances and results, it could well be a rout. 
1 point from 27, 3 goals in that time, with just 1 being from open play. 
Though there were signs of green shoots at Lincoln under Craig Short as caretaker. 
Rumoured to be close to a managerial appointment in time for Saturday, whether they'll be in charge is an unknown so could be potential for a new manager bounce though if it saves itself for Morecambe and Cheltenham in the weeks following that isn't the worst thing. 

Haven't a clue how this might go. 
Given recent performances and results, it could well be a rout. 
1 point from 27, 3 goals in that time, with just 1 being from open play. 
Though there were signs of green shoots at Lincoln under Craig Short as caretaker. 
Rumoured to be close to a managerial appointment in time for Saturday, whether they'll be in charge is an unknown so could be potential for a new manager bounce though if it saves itself for Morecambe and Cheltenham in the weeks following that isn't the worst thing. 

Yeah Hanson left us in the summer and doesn't even appear to have ended up anywhere on trial since.
As for Thomas, been with us since July 2014 when brought in as part of Michael Appleton's staff. Very much the right hand man to Craig Dean (head of scouting) to begin with, but when Dean left for Leeds (October 2017), Thomas became the main man for all things recruitment, analysis and scouting. A big part of our links to the Irish leagues and successes with players brought over.
Successes include:
Rob Atkinson - signed from Eastleigh Jan 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold July 2021 to Bristol City for circa £2m.
Rob Dickie - signed from Reading Jan 2018 Undisclosed fee. Sold Sept 2020 to QPR for circa £2m.
Tariq Fosu - signed from Charlton July 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold Jan 2021 to Brentford for 750k (release clause)
Marvin Johnson - signed from Motherwell August 2016 650k. Sold August 2017 to Boro for circa £2.75m.
Ryan Ledson - signed from Everton August 2016 for a compo fee. Sold May 2018 to Preston for circa £1m.
John Lundstram - signed from Everton August 2015 for a compo fee. Sold July 2017 to Sheff Utd for 750k (final year of deal)
Luke McNally - signed from St Pat's Athletic Jan 2021 for circa 60k. Sold July 2022 to Burnley for circa £2.2m.
Joe Rothwell - signed from Man Utd July 2016 for a compo fee. Sold June 2018 to Blackburn for circa 500k (pre-agreed compo fee)
Mark Sykes - signed from Glenavon Jan 2019 for circa 50k. Joined Bristol City July 2022 on a free after running contract down.
Gavin Whyte - signed from Crusaders July 2018 for circa 75k. Sold July 2019 to Cardiff for circa £1.5m.
Loans over his time including Carlton Morris (now at Luton), George Baldock (now at Sheff Utd), Jonjoe Kenny (now at Hertha Berlin), Tyler Roberts (now at Leeds), Toni Martinez (now at Porto)
Also solid signings for the relevant levels - Liam Sercombe, Chris Maguire, Curtis Nelson, Cameron Brannagan.
Naturally there have been some "failures" as well - Hanson and Thorne have to be included, although with the latter, the entire medical department advised against and Karl Robinson overruled (a reoccurring theme in recent times). A couple of Irish/Scottish recruits haven't worked and there have been the failed loans that every club sees. 

But all in all, a pretty good hit rate for both improving the team, and younger "project" types to bring in and sell on.
It's noticeable that our recruitment tactic seemingly changed in the summer with older and bigger risk players coming in - Josh Murphy, Yanic Wildschut and now Thomas is looking to move on. Suggests he may have been undermined a bit more recently.

He's listed within the club directory on your website so appear to be the low key side of things.

Yeah Hanson left us in the summer and doesn't even appear to have ended up anywhere on trial since.
As for Thomas, been with us since July 2014 when brought in as part of Michael Appleton's staff. Very much the right hand man to Craig Dean (head of scouting) to begin with, but when Dean left for Leeds (October 2017), Thomas became the main man for all things recruitment, analysis and scouting. A big part of our links to the Irish leagues and successes with players brought over.
Successes include:
Rob Atkinson - signed from Eastleigh Jan 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold July 2021 to Bristol City for circa £2m.
Rob Dickie - signed from Reading Jan 2018 Undisclosed fee. Sold Sept 2020 to QPR for circa £2m.
Tariq Fosu - signed from Charlton July 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold Jan 2021 to Brentford for 750k (release clause)
Marvin Johnson - signed from Motherwell August 2016 650k. Sold August 2017 to Boro for circa £2.75m.
Ryan Ledson - signed from Everton August 2016 for a compo fee. Sold May 2018 to Preston for circa £1m.
John Lundstram - signed from Everton August 2015 for a compo fee. Sold July 2017 to Sheff Utd for 750k (final year of deal)
Luke McNally - signed from St Pat's Athletic Jan 2021 for circa 60k. Sold July 2022 to Burnley for circa £2.2m.
Joe Rothwell - signed from Man Utd July 2016 for a compo fee. Sold June 2018 to Blackburn for circa 500k (pre-agreed compo fee)
Mark Sykes - signed from Glenavon Jan 2019 for circa 50k. Joined Bristol City July 2022 on a free after running contract down.
Gavin Whyte - signed from Crusaders July 2018 for circa 75k. Sold July 2019 to Cardiff for circa £1.5m.
Loans over his time including Carlton Morris (now at Luton), George Baldock (now at Sheff Utd), Jonjoe Kenny (now at Hertha Berlin), Tyler Roberts (now at Leeds), Toni Martinez (now at Porto)
Also solid signings for the relevant levels - Liam Sercombe, Chris Maguire, Curtis Nelson, Cameron Brannagan.
Naturally there have been some "failures" as well - Hanson and Thorne have to be included, although with the latter, the entire medical department advised against and Karl Robinson overruled (a reoccurring theme in recent times). A couple of Irish/Scottish recruits haven't worked and there have been the failed loans that every club sees. 

But all in all, a pretty good hit rate for both improving the team, and younger "project" types to bring in and sell on.
It's noticeable that our recruitment tactic seemingly changed in the summer with older and bigger risk players coming in - Josh Murphy, Yanic Wildschut and now Thomas is looking to move on. Suggests he may have been undermined a bit more recently.

Attended the game v Cambridge in corporate and heard a few whispers that you were taking our Head of Recruitment - Mark Thomas - as well as some noise at our end, but it seems to have been picked up by some outlets now.
Slightly surprising one, is that it is being reported as a Director of Football role.
https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-derby-county-agree-terms-with-oxford-uniteds-mark-thomas/

He's listed within the club directory on your website so appear to be the low key side of things.

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/

Previously we've needed to sell 1 or 2 every summer to basically fund the club.
Playing at a ground we don't own, paying an extortionate rent and service fee to an ex Chairman being the underlying reason.
 
Recent takeover (rich Asians including ex Inter Milan chairman) has made us pretty wealthy for our size, which has influenced the types of signings made, with less of the younger talent being recruited and as I mentioned previously may have had some influence on Thomas' decision to move on.

Yeah Hanson left us in the summer and doesn't even appear to have ended up anywhere on trial since.
As for Thomas, been with us since July 2014 when brought in as part of Michael Appleton's staff. Very much the right hand man to Craig Dean (head of scouting) to begin with, but when Dean left for Leeds (October 2017), Thomas became the main man for all things recruitment, analysis and scouting. A big part of our links to the Irish leagues and successes with players brought over.
Successes include:
Rob Atkinson - signed from Eastleigh Jan 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold July 2021 to Bristol City for circa £2m.
Rob Dickie - signed from Reading Jan 2018 Undisclosed fee. Sold Sept 2020 to QPR for circa £2m.
Tariq Fosu - signed from Charlton July 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold Jan 2021 to Brentford for 750k (release clause)
Marvin Johnson - signed from Motherwell August 2016 650k. Sold August 2017 to Boro for circa £2.75m.
Ryan Ledson - signed from Everton August 2016 for a compo fee. Sold May 2018 to Preston for circa £1m.
John Lundstram - signed from Everton August 2015 for a compo fee. Sold July 2017 to Sheff Utd for 750k (final year of deal)
Luke McNally - signed from St Pat's Athletic Jan 2021 for circa 60k. Sold July 2022 to Burnley for circa £2.2m.
Joe Rothwell - signed from Man Utd July 2016 for a compo fee. Sold June 2018 to Blackburn for circa 500k (pre-agreed compo fee)
Mark Sykes - signed from Glenavon Jan 2019 for circa 50k. Joined Bristol City July 2022 on a free after running contract down.
Gavin Whyte - signed from Crusaders July 2018 for circa 75k. Sold July 2019 to Cardiff for circa £1.5m.
Loans over his time including Carlton Morris (now at Luton), George Baldock (now at Sheff Utd), Jonjoe Kenny (now at Hertha Berlin), Tyler Roberts (now at Leeds), Toni Martinez (now at Porto)
Also solid signings for the relevant levels - Liam Sercombe, Chris Maguire, Curtis Nelson, Cameron Brannagan.
Naturally there have been some "failures" as well - Hanson and Thorne have to be included, although with the latter, the entire medical department advised against and Karl Robinson overruled (a reoccurring theme in recent times). A couple of Irish/Scottish recruits haven't worked and there have been the failed loans that every club sees. 

But all in all, a pretty good hit rate for both improving the team, and younger "project" types to bring in and sell on.
It's noticeable that our recruitment tactic seemingly changed in the summer with older and bigger risk players coming in - Josh Murphy, Yanic Wildschut and now Thomas is looking to move on. Suggests he may have been undermined a bit more recently.

Yeah Hanson left us in the summer and doesn't even appear to have ended up anywhere on trial since.
As for Thomas, been with us since July 2014 when brought in as part of Michael Appleton's staff. Very much the right hand man to Craig Dean (head of scouting) to begin with, but when Dean left for Leeds (October 2017), Thomas became the main man for all things recruitment, analysis and scouting. A big part of our links to the Irish leagues and successes with players brought over.
Successes include:
Rob Atkinson - signed from Eastleigh Jan 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold July 2021 to Bristol City for circa £2m.
Rob Dickie - signed from Reading Jan 2018 Undisclosed fee. Sold Sept 2020 to QPR for circa £2m.
Tariq Fosu - signed from Charlton July 2020 Undisclosed fee. Sold Jan 2021 to Brentford for 750k (release clause)
Marvin Johnson - signed from Motherwell August 2016 650k. Sold August 2017 to Boro for circa £2.75m.
Ryan Ledson - signed from Everton August 2016 for a compo fee. Sold May 2018 to Preston for circa £1m.
John Lundstram - signed from Everton August 2015 for a compo fee. Sold July 2017 to Sheff Utd for 750k (final year of deal)
Luke McNally - signed from St Pat's Athletic Jan 2021 for circa 60k. Sold July 2022 to Burnley for circa £2.2m.
Joe Rothwell - signed from Man Utd July 2016 for a compo fee. Sold June 2018 to Blackburn for circa 500k (pre-agreed compo fee)
Mark Sykes - signed from Glenavon Jan 2019 for circa 50k. Joined Bristol City July 2022 on a free after running contract down.
Gavin Whyte - signed from Crusaders July 2018 for circa 75k. Sold July 2019 to Cardiff for circa £1.5m.
Loans over his time including Carlton Morris (now at Luton), George Baldock (now at Sheff Utd), Jonjoe Kenny (now at Hertha Berlin), Tyler Roberts (now at Leeds), Toni Martinez (now at Porto)
Also solid signings for the relevant levels - Liam Sercombe, Chris Maguire, Curtis Nelson, Cameron Brannagan.
Naturally there have been some "failures" as well - Hanson and Thorne have to be included, although with the latter, the entire medical department advised against and Karl Robinson overruled (a reoccurring theme in recent times). A couple of Irish/Scottish recruits haven't worked and there have been the failed loans that every club sees. 

But all in all, a pretty good hit rate for both improving the team, and younger "project" types to bring in and sell on.
It's noticeable that our recruitment tactic seemingly changed in the summer with older and bigger risk players coming in - Josh Murphy, Yanic Wildschut and now Thomas is looking to move on. Suggests he may have been undermined a bit more recently.

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/

Notice period worked and now confirmed at our end as having left the club for Derby
https://www.oufc.co.uk/news/2023/february/mark-thomas-departs/