Pep Clotet has been speaking to the press for the first time since he took over as Manager of Oxford United.
We will keep growing, keep learning, and keep building together so we are all proud of what we see on the pitch.
Pep has had a couple of very productive days where he met staff and players and oversaw training. This morning he faced local and national media at a formal press conference where he outlined what it was that drew him to the U’s:
“I was very attracted to the way Oxford have been developing over the last three years and I believe in the plans they have and the idea and culture that runs through all of the club and is built into the squad; the idea of a young talented squad to develop and be better at the end than at the beginning and eventually get success from it,” he said.
“I believe that the players want to do well and grow with the club, and we also have players with experience to help them become better pros and better players. I feel they have the desire to achieve things and that, in the end, makes a difference in the game.”
United ended last season in their best position for 20 years and with season ticket sales high and fans looking forward to the new campaign, the new United boss has a very solid base to build from.
“My goal is to have a better Oxford United at the end of the season than the beginning,” he said. "I know there will be a lot of moments where it will be tough; we are in a tough league, but I also know there will be a lot of moments when it is going to be good because that is how the game is and how the club is. We will keep growing, keep learning, and keep building together so we are all proud of what we see on the pitch.”
The players have worked hard this week as they build towards the big kick off and Pep hinted that there could be new faces, although each of the current players has the chance to impress over the next month before the U’s kick off away at Oldham.
“We have a very good recruitment team and very good staff and right now we are looking at targets but I also have to make sure that I understand the squad here 100 per cent as well. I want to be in line with what the club has been planning and building.
“Saturday at Oxford City will be my first chance to see the players in action and I am going to leave the team selection to the staff because I want to have a different angle and point of view and almost be on the outside watching them compete, and able to analyse how we play.
“Obviously the game is all about getting fit and getting minutes but I hope they play well ahead of the week in Portugal. Every player has the same chance; they will all feel that and I think it’s fair. In reality they will all want to work hard to get into the team. Everyone here has the right mentality for that.”