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FOOTBALL: Hard work pays off for Yemi
6:09pm Thursday 24th April 2008
In-form Yemi Odubade looks to have won the race to finish as United's leading scorer this season.
His superb winning goal against Rushden took his tally to 11, which is three clear of Matt Green and Phil Trainer, who are in joint second place with eight goals.
The former Eastbourne Borough player went through a dip in form and confidence earlier in the season and questions were asked, by just about everybody, on whether he could play up front because his ratio of taking chances wasn't good.
But, judging by his last three or four appearances, his finishing has greatly improved.
And, of course, when he plays, his pace causes opposing defences such problems that more chances are created anyway.
Can finishing be taught, or are you born with it?
That's a question I put to manager Darren Patterson.
"You can improve it, whether you can teach someone to clinically finish better, I'm not so sure," he said. "We'll never stop trying.
"He can play wide, he can play up top. If he plays with that energy, and that enthusiasm, and that desire he did on Tuesday night . . . I remember games when he was getting ironically cheered when he made a tackle or made a run back.
"You look at the difference now - in his energy and his workrate - he's a nightmare for centre halves. We want that in every game."
Odubade has always had a reasonable good skill level - his long-range left-footed volley on the turn from 45 yards against Dagenham last season was a sensational piece of technique - but this too seems to be getting better and better.
Twice against Rushden Yemi brought difficult dropping balls under instant control.
Patterson said: "Mickey Lewis has worked his socks off with the boy. It's constant repetition, he keeps doing it and we'll continue doing it.
"It's a side of his game he needs to work on "He enjoys playing here and it shows. We've asked him to enjoy himself, and he is.
"He's really sat down and listened, and he's really focused, not just on the pitch but off the pitch, and you're seeing the results now."
Your Say YourOxford
Tilly Burley, Graceland says...
4:23am Fri 25 Apr 08
benox wrote:You are spot on benox. Some of Yemi's best form has come since he was given a bullet and told he was on the transfer list, and he has answered admirably.
Fair play to Yemi. Hes another one whos proved he has some character to fight his way back into Patto's plans for next season. Day is perhaps the only other one to have done this. It reflects well on the young lads they've shown more fight than more experienced players like Hutch and Pettefer. Some people questioned what would be gained by Patto telling some players they have no future with this club. I think the benefits are now being seen. We've learn a lot about the likes of Hutch, Petts and Duffy and also learnt the players with the character to knuckle down.
Alex, says...
8:02am Fri 25 Apr 08
Andy, Cowley says...
9:11am Fri 25 Apr 08
Simon, Cheshire says...
9:25am Fri 25 Apr 08
The people on here seem to be applauding the guy for doing what he is paid to do which is abselutely ridiculous. If Patto is gullable enough to believe that Yemi and alot of these players should stay just because they play well for a qtr of the season or even less then he should go now.
People lets not foget that the season is 46 games long!
David, Bicester says...
12:36pm Fri 25 Apr 08
He was woeful for much of the season, and his massive dip in form was a big contributor to our failure to even make the play-offs this term.
Each successive season in non-league further damages our club, and we really need to get back into the league next year.
Given only two are promoted we need to be aiming to build a very strong side, and aiming for the top slot.
Yemi for me has not at all shown that he can bang in the goals to the extent we need across a full season.
A purple patch at the end of this season does not change my mind on him at all, and unfortunately probably means he remains at the club for next season.
If he does start the new season for us, I dearly hope he proves me wrong.
Simon, Witney says...
12:29pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Simon, Cheshire says...
2:51pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Matt, Oxford says...
9:36pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Simon, Witney says...
9:20am Sun 27 Apr 08
Simon wrote:Well done.....Pull the old "I could have scored more goals" line. Rob Duffy was our first 20 goal a season striker in years last year and he was still hounded out, I suppose you could have scored more goals than him though as well.
He is top scorer but I could of been top goal scorer wouldn't be hard considering the strikers we have had. Yemi in the main has looked ordinary for most of the season to look ordinary in this side you have to be pretty **** shocking! If we want to be a league club we need good players lets get rid of the dross!
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benox, Banbury says...
12:38am Fri 25 Apr 08
Some people questioned what would be gained by Patto telling some players they have no future with this club. I think the benefits are now being seen. We've learn a lot about the likes of Hutch, Petts and Duffy and also learnt the players with the character to knuckle down.