A case for Oxford United
As far as picks for promotion to League One go, this is a pretty bold one: Oxford United. I have always had something of a soft spot for the Foxes as result of some of my family living there and owning season tickets. Just keeping an eye out for whether or not they win at the weekend and checking their league position (maybe watch their highlights on the Football League Show), that kind of thing.
The team gained promotion to the football league two years ago from the Blue Square Premiership. Their first season they finished 12th; a very respectable position for the newly promoted team. Last year the Foxes were in a good position to at least secure a playoff spot but a late season meltdown meant they missed out. Oxford starting this season winning their first three games but hit a terrible run of form which has seen them plummet down the table to 15th place.
They beat Barnet away today, though, to advance into the second round of the FA Cup and last week they beat Wycombe 3-1 away and hopefully they can keep the momentum going with the visit of Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday night.
In order to secure promotion this year Oxford will need their star striker Tom Craddock to maintain his fantastic early season form that has seen him score 8 goals so far. His strike partnership with Alfie Potter will be of key improtance, too, with Potter chipping in with 5 goals for the Foxes. Also, defensive stalwart Michael Duberry (yes, that Michael Dubbery) will need to be at his commanding best as well.
Three of their next five games are against teams below them in the League so if they can put a good run together than the Foxes will be able bolster their standing and find themselves in a decent position to consolidate a playoff spot. Hopeful, yes, but I think they have a team to at the very least make the playoffs this season.
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