TLG Stat-Pack – Oxford United in 2004/5

Last updated : 03 November 2004 By Robert Craven

Under-fire boss Graham Rix can't look counterpart Tony Adams in the eye before the televised match against Wycombe Wanderers
Firoz Kassam’s reign as chairman has been a peculiar one, and he is rumoured, as ever, to be on the verge of quitting the club. Southend attempted to poach his previous manager, Ian Atkins, when Steve Wignall was sacked, it is alleged by the businessman, but instead it was Bristol Rovers who got their man. Graham Rix was put in temporary charge at the end of last season, which fizzled out having led the table at Christmas, and he remains at the helm today.


However, just how much longer he will be afforded seems to be in the lap of the Gods. Rix’s men halted an embarrassing slide when they defeated Cheltenham Town by a solitary Tommy Mooney goal to nil on Saturday, but after six consecutive League Two defeats (and an LDV Vans Trophy penalty shoot-out loss to Conference side Exeter City interspersed), the U’s find themselves struggling in 19th place.


Kassam is an ambitious man, and it is touted that one further defeat will see the end of Rix, who was released as a youth team coach at Chelsea after allegations of paedophilia. He has placed his faith in a number of ex-Southend players, not least top goalscorer Mooney, for whom Saturday’s goal was his fifth of the campaign. Leo Roget has another, and is the current Oxford captain, whilst the much-maligned Mark Rawle has had to settle for a place in the reserves of late.


Coca-Cola League Two

07/08/04: Boston United (a) L0-1

11/08/04: Mansfield Town (h) W1-0 (Mooney)

14/08/04: Scunthorpe United (h) D1-1 (Mooney)

21/08/04: Leyton Orient (a) D0-0

28/08/04: Shrewsbury Town (h) W2-0 (Bradbury, Mooney)

30/08/04: Notts County (a) W1-0 (Bradbury [pen])

03/09/04: Wycombe Wanderers (a) D1-1 (Roget)

11/09/04: Rushden & Diamonds (h) D0-0

18/09/04: Yeovil Town (a) L1-6 (Hand)

25/09/04: Bury (h) W3-1 (Basham, Scott [o.g.], Mooney)

02/10/04: Bristol Rovers (a) L0-2

10/10/04: Darlington (h) L1-2 (Woozley)

16/10/04: Lincoln City (h) L0-1

19/10/04: Northampton Town (a) L0-1

23/10/04: Macclesfield Town (a) L0-1

30/10/04: Cheltenham Town (h) W1-0 (Mooney)


Played 16, Won 4, Drawn 4, Lost 8, Scored 12, Conceded 17, Points 16, Position 19th


FA Cup

13/11/04: R1 – Rochdale (a)


Carling Cup

25/08/04: R1 – Reading (h) L0-2


Played 1, Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 1, Scored 0, Conceded 2


LDV Vans Trophy

29/10/04: R1 – Exeter City (h) D2-2 [L1-3 on pens] (Winters, Hand)


Played 1, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 0, Scored 2, Conceded 2


2004/5 Records

Matches Played: 18 (10 home, 8 away)

Matches Won: 4 (3 home, 1 away)

Matches Drawn: 5 (3 home, 2 away)

Matches Lost: 9 (4 home, 5 away)

Goals Scored: 14 (11 home, 3 away)

Goals Conceded: 21 (9 home, 12 away)

Most Appearances:

Dave Mackay, Tommy Mooney, Matt Robinson – 18

Steve Basham – 14+3

Chris Tardif – 16


Top Goalscorers:

Tommy Mooney – 5

Lee Bradbury, Jamie Hand – 2

Steve Basham, Leo Roget, Tom Winters, David Woozley – 1


Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com