Oxford United manager Darren Patterson has expressed his delight after he unveiled his three latest captures.
Striker James Constable and winger Lewis Haldane, who are both 23, have signed on season-long deals from Shrewsbury and Bristol Rovers respectively, while ex-West Brom midfielder Rob Davies, 21, has been given a short-term contract.
It brings to five the number of summer signings following the captures of midfielder Joe Burnell and left back Chris Carruthers.
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Malmesbury-born Constable started his career at Chippenham Town, before signing for Walsall in November 2005.
After scoring nine goals in five starts on loan at Kidderminster he signed for Harriers on a permanent basis, scoring 12 goals in 38 appearances.
He moved to Shrewsbury last season, but the signing of former Oxford forward Richard Walker and Grant Holt moved him further down the pecking order.
Constable got his U's career off to a great start, scoring the winner in last night's 1-0 win at Oxford City.
Welshman Davies started his career with Wrexham before signing for West Brom.
He was later loaned out to Kidderminster where he played in the same team as Constable, before he signed a two-year contract with Spanish side Barakaldo.
"If you are not patient you don't get these opportunities ," said Patterson.
"I have to give my chairman a lot of credit. He has been involved all the way through.
"It's easy to rush into signing people, but I won't sign anyone unless I feel they are right for us.
"I have known about Rob for a while and am delighted to get him on board. He is a lively character on and off the pitch."
Patterson added: "I owe a debt of gratitude to Paul Simpson at Shrewsbury boss) and Lenny Lawrence and Paul Trollope at Bristol Rovers for both these players.
"I have been trying to get Constable for a while.
"At first, Paul had in mind to keep James because he bought him for a lot of money.
"He scored something like five goals in nine starts.
"But I think Paul thought it would be a good idea for James to come to Oxford.
"To be honest, I think Paul got sick of me asking about him all the time! I'm very pleased to get him - I just chanced my arm.
"James is quick, strong and has scored goals wherever he has played whether it be Walsall reserves, Shrewsbury or whatever.
"Of course, he scored a shed-load of goals for Kidderminster. He didn't take much convincing to come here."
Patterson added: "Lewis is a real character, a very positive kid.
"He's got fantastic pace and can play wide right, wide left or up front.
"Although all three are young, they have a lot of experience.
"I'm looking for people who have points to prove and are ambitious."
All looks positive. We just have to wait and see how well the players gel together which may take a few weeks but hopefully we can hit the ground running come the start of the season.
All looks positive. We just have to wait and see how well the players gel together which may take a few weeks but hopefully we can hit the ground running come the start of the season.
Posted by: Season2start, BirkenheadYellow on 8:34am Wed 9 Jul 08
Patto has delivered on signings, really believe we have a great chance this season. Just can't wait for the season to start. Optimistic for a great season, League and cup double would be nice. Come on you YELLOWS!!!
Patto has delivered on signings, really believe we have a great chance this season. Just can't wait for the season to start. Optimistic for a great season, League and cup double would be nice. Come on you YELLOWS!!!
I think he's following Gary Waddock's lead his Aldershot team was fairly young and very pacy with a sprinkle of older players and it worked for him so I think it might just work for us.
I know we can't judge properly until the lads kick start playing competitively but on paper it looks like we have a good team developing.
Probably just sign a couple more of the trialists like reid, gash and 1 of the keepers then I think we will be done.
Looking good so far Darren your starting to prove myself wrong and probably many others.
Who does everyone think will be up near the top hopefully with us?
I reckon Torquay, Stevenage and Rushden.
I think he's following Gary Waddock's lead his Aldershot team was fairly young and very pacy with a sprinkle of older players and it worked for him so I think it might just work for us.
I know we can't judge properly until the lads kick start playing competitively but on paper it looks like we have a good team developing.
Probably just sign a couple more of the trialists like reid, gash and 1 of the keepers then I think we will be done.
Looking good so far Darren your starting to prove myself wrong and probably many others.
Who does everyone think will be up near the top hopefully with us?
I reckon Torquay, Stevenage and Rushden.
Posted by: Richard Wickson, Ellesmere Port on 4:30pm Wed 9 Jul 08
Well so far so good, played 1 won 1, the signings inc the Loanees look reasonable and we have hope for the new season, words of caution tho, i remember Jim telling us this time last year we have a better squad than the previous season, remember what happened???? Lets just hope this squad ias as good as we want it to be. Oh and to Birkenhead Yellow, nice to see another OUFC fan up here.
Well so far so good, played 1 won 1, the signings inc the Loanees look reasonable and we have hope for the new season, words of caution tho, i remember Jim telling us this time last year we have a better squad than the previous season, remember what happened???? Lets just hope this squad ias as good as we want it to be. Oh and to Birkenhead Yellow, nice to see another OUFC fan up here.
We need 3 or so more signings in my opinion - a keeper, striker and another midfielder - preferably a left winger.
Lets hope Patterson is working on those.
We need 3 or so more signings in my opinion - a keeper, striker and another midfielder - preferably a left winger.
Posted by: john murrray-mint, reporting from space on 5:06pm Wed 9 Jul 08
id like to see van nistlerooy , owen hargreaves and may be Franck Ribery
i think that would make us very strong - i thing ribery and yemi would be a great strike force
id like to see van nistlerooy , owen hargreaves and may be Franck Ribery
i think that would make us very strong - i thing ribery and yemi would be a great strike force
Posted by: crowey, rickmansworth is turning yellow on 8:17am Thu 10 Jul 08
i like the sound of these fellas, too. i have to say that Eddie A has not been replaced and we need to shift jeanin and hutch, sharpish. i feel we need two more strikers. yemi and fish are not good enough and constable cant do it on his own. if either of those were to get injured, we would be stuffed.Overall, i am very happy.
i like the sound of these fellas, too. i have to say that Eddie A has not been replaced and we need to shift jeanin and hutch, sharpish. i feel we need two more strikers. yemi and fish are not good enough and constable cant do it on his own. if either of those were to get injured, we would be stuffed.Overall, i am very happy.
Posted by: JACKFROST, ABINGDON-ON-SEA on 9:48am Sat 12 Jul 08
First Nick when did you take over from Jon and are you on LOAN.lets see how they play today at Brackley and OUFC Colleagues lets be behind PACCOand NICK
First Nick when did you take over from Jon and are you on LOAN.lets see how they play today at Brackley and OUFC Colleagues lets be behind PACCOand NICK
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