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Keeper Ben gets United chance
OXFORD United have taken on 19-year-old goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe on a short-term deal with the opportunity to become their No 2 for the season.
Jake Cole, the on-loan QPR stopper who will deputise for the injured Billy Turley at the start of the season, is rated 50-50 to face a Man Utd XI in United's opening home pre-season friendly tomorrow following a groin strain.
But Hinchliffe, who was recommended to U's boss Darren Patterson by the Shrewsbury manager and former Oxford United star Paul Simpson, is set to play in some of the game.
Patterson said: "We're taking him on a short-term deal until the end of August and there's a real opportunity for him to stake his claim to be our No 2 keeper.
"He's the right age, and would fit into our budget, but he still needs to work on some things.
"I thought he was excellent at Bath, and credit goes to (goalkeeping coach) Alan Hogkinson because we can already see a big improvement in him from things Hodgy's taught him.
"The youngster's got a good pedigree, having been at Derby and Preston. He kicks the ball well and is good at crosses.
"One thing he needs to work on is that if he makes an error, he 'goes' a bit, but that's part of the learning process."
Cole is expected to return to QPR at the end of his three-month loan, with Turley hoping to have recovered from his shoulder operation.
Meanwhile, the Manchester United side which visits the Kassam Stadium will be a "Stars of Tomorrow" XI rather than a stars of today.
It comprises mainly reserve and youth-team players, but Oxford are not letting that fool them into thinking it will be any less of a challenge in their opening home pre-season game.
The Man Utd XI, which will be managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, is likely to include Rome-born striker Frederico Macheda, Brazilian teenager Rodrigo Possebon and Portuguese striker Evandro Brandao and former Bradford City apprentice Tom Cleverley, who was born in Basingstoke.
Despite the lack of household names, taking on the Old Trafford outfit is still a glamorous occasion, for both the players and spectators.
Said Oxford right back Matt Day: "I'm a massive Man Utd fan, so it's fantastic for me to be facing them again.
"They're probably going to be fringe players and youths this time. But they're all going to be good players, otherwise they wouldn't be at Man Utd."
OxfordUnited's youth side lost 3-2 at Kidlington last night. James Dobson and Chris Fowler scored.
9:18am Friday 25th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Robin, south oxfordshire on 2:59pm Fri 25 Jul 08
Hello - anyone out there in Oxford land. All speechless at a nervous novice coming to guard the net?
Hello - anyone out there in Oxford land. All speechless at a nervous novice coming to guard the net?
Posted by: sean, banbury on 3:34pm Fri 25 Jul 08
lets give him a chance and go from there.
lets give him a chance and go from there.
Posted by: Pattos Yellow Army, Oxford on 5:11pm Fri 25 Jul 08
robin you are a fool.
You are the type of person that would moan even if Petr Cech, "He earns to much???" or "He is good, shame someone will nick him from us".
People like you (robin) are a DISGRACE!!!
robin you are a fool.
You are the type of person that would moan even if Petr Cech, "He earns to much???" or "He is good, shame someone will nick him from us".
People like you (robin) are a DISGRACE!!!
Posted by: Robin, south oxford on 5:25pm Fri 25 Jul 08
Pattos yellow and pretty dim yellow army, shame you don't recognize a comment from an ironic Swindon fan then. It's obvious to all that you're the fool!
Pattos yellow and pretty dim yellow army, shame you don't recognize a comment from an ironic Swindon fan then. It's obvious to all that you're the fool!
Posted by: Humbug on 7:15pm Fri 25 Jul 08
[quote][bold]Robin[/bold] wrote:
Hello - anyone out there in Oxford land. All speechless at a nervous novice coming to guard the net?[/quote] I've had your Mum.
So have you.
Robin wrote:
Hello - anyone out there in Oxford land. All speechless at a nervous novice coming to guard the net?
I've had your Mum.
So have you.
Posted by: Canterbury_Yellow, Whitstable, Kent on 7:46pm Fri 25 Jul 08
What is the point in all this pointless, petty and childish prattle?
Good luck to you Ben, were right behind you!
[bold]COME ON YOU YELLOWS.... 2008/09 BSP CHAMPIONS[/bold]
What is the point in all this pointless, petty and childish prattle?
Good luck to you Ben, were right behind you!
COME ON YOU YELLOWS.... 2008/09 BSP CHAMPIONS Posted by: B Hatton, Box on 9:59pm Fri 25 Jul 08
I was one of the few who saw him play against Bath. He was good on the high balls and looked pretty competent.
I was one of the few who saw him play against Bath. He was good on the high balls and looked pretty competent.
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