Duberry calls for fighting finish from Oxford United

9:00am Wednesday 2nd May 2012 in Sport

Micahel Duberry doesn't want to end the season with a whimper Micahel Duberry doesn't want to end the season with a whimper

Michael Duberry says it would be unforgivable for Oxford United to end the season on a low note this weekend, with qualification for the play-offs still a possibility.

The U’s wrap up their npower League Two campaign away at Port Vale on Saturday.

To finish in the top seven, Chris Wilder’s side have to win and Crewe Alexandra must lose at home to Aldershot.

Duberry has been dismayed by a winless run of six games since a 2-0 victory at Accrington Stanley last month, which has seen United slip from a position of dominance to become long shots.

The veteran centre back stressed the importance of finishing with three points.

He said: “The worst thing to happen would be if we went out on a whimper, lose up there and find out Crewe have lost – we’d never forgive ourselves.

“From a purely personal point of view, it shouldn’t be going on the last day of the season, with the quality and how we’ve done this season.

“Maybe we took our eye off the ball (after Accrington). I don’t think it’s that, we just haven’t been good enough over the last six games – it’s not play-off form.

“Our season has hinged on the last six games and we haven’t performed.”

As the most senior player in United’s squad, the 36-year-old is keen to do all he can this week to make sure they bounce back this weekend.

He said: “The manager can’t walk with his head down because everyone takes their tone off him and it’s the same with the senior players.

“If you get turbulence on an aeroplane and the air hostesses are sitting there scared, you think ‘Oh my God, there must be trouble’.

“So the manager as the pilot has to be positive and his lieutenants – the senior players – have to be as well.”

Comments(17)

Joe1 says...
10:22am Wed 2 May 12

It was apparent that Dubs wanted to get something from the game last Saturday. When he was not trying to score, he was clearing off the goal line. He is proud man & really wants to finish with a flourish. Just a pity some of the team around him are made of the same stuff.
For what it is worth for Saturday:

"COME ON YOU YELLOWS"

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DuberryandBeanofan says...
11:39am Wed 2 May 12

Duberry has been a quality signing for us this season, I hope he doesn't hang up his boots. I reckon we can win at Port Vale and then we will just have to see how Crewe do.

Through thick and thin "Come on you yellows"

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Brenda Jackson says...
12:36pm Wed 2 May 12

Can't see how 'Dubes' thinks his WORDS can inspire the rest of the team into suddenly remembering how to compete and win matches, his ACTION on the pitch has failed to do so too many times this season- Action speaks louder than? Not nearly enough times.
Anyone explain the abysmal 'performance' we had last week- and in similar matches? We have been poor value consistently entertainment wise, and fortunate that so many other teams in this Division have been even worse, yet we have seen that given the 'Big match' the team can compete and perform, which begs the question- where was the MOTIVATION in matches versus the Morecambes of this world? Chris Wilder? Mickey Lewis? Self pride? No, we were rubbish, and that is the reason we're staying put in this Division for another season at least. Fine words from Dubes, too little, far too late. Must do MUCH better Mr Wilder.

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BigAlBiker says...
12:43pm Wed 2 May 12

I would give Dubes another contract for next year if he wants it, his experience is invaluable to the young ones and actually apart from the odd own goal i reckon he did ok, at least he is committed to the cause unlike some of the loan players who just take the cash.

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northampton yellow says...
1:41pm Wed 2 May 12

dubes have got 1 year left on his contract its not dubes you have to be worrying about staying its clarke hes to good 4 league 2 have to worry about whing,wright,leven,p
ittman all staying lets face it the last 6 games have not staying material.

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DuberryandBeanofan says...
1:57pm Wed 2 May 12

northampton yellow wrote:
dubes have got 1 year left on his contract its not dubes you have to be worrying about staying its clarke hes to good 4 league 2 have to worry about whing,wright,leven,p

ittman all staying lets face it the last 6 games have not staying material.
There's nothing worse then pessimism is there. Come on back the lads.

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northampton yellow says...
2:09pm Wed 2 May 12

DuberryandBeanofan wrote:
northampton yellow wrote:
dubes have got 1 year left on his contract its not dubes you have to be worrying about staying its clarke hes to good 4 league 2 have to worry about whing,wright,leven,p


ittman all staying lets face it the last 6 games have not staying material.
There's nothing worse then pessimism is there. Come on back the lads.
i have already booked my season ticket for next season just think if something better was offered be hard to keep them its how it is .

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yellowhoods says...
2:36pm Wed 2 May 12

Dubes was good in the late 90's, quick buck before he retires.

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Inkpot says...
3:23pm Wed 2 May 12

Let's just hope he remembers which net to put the ball in next season!!!!!!!!!!

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gnash21 says...
5:09pm Wed 2 May 12

yellowhoods wrote:
Dubes was good in the late 90's, quick buck before he retires.
Dubes has been the best defender since Mark creighton. In this league you need someone big at the back like dubes. I agree he was better in the late 90's as I used to watch him at chelsea when I used to go to stamford bridge. He still has alot of pace. More then Jake wright who is no always the best defender playing to much in his own area.

COYY

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Mac27 says...
7:38pm Wed 2 May 12

jake wright is shocking cant undestand why people rate him dubes has made him look a bit better than he is, to light weight and always looks like making a mistake!

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london_yellow says...
8:50am Thu 3 May 12

Duberry has been, in the main, excellent. He brings professionalism, experience and a real presence. Presence which the team, opposition and the fans all feel. He is a force worth having in the team for this alone. I'm always that much more confident of a result when his name is on the team sheet. I hope you were being flippant by saying he was better in the late 90's? Of course he was, he was in his mid-twenties and clearly if he was still that good he'd be playing in the Prem and not Div 2.

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A Scroat says...
9:01am Thu 3 May 12

The fighting finish would have been nice in February and March when it counted. Shame Swindon didn't buy JC.

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LeGod says...
3:18pm Thu 3 May 12

watch football extra on sunday with Ben Shepherd and Chris Kamara there is going to be a legend on the show.

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Mac27 says...
6:14pm Thu 3 May 12

joey beachump!

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Chish and Fips says...
7:17pm Thu 3 May 12

Mac27 wrote:
joey beachump!
'Legend' not 'Liability' Mac

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yellowhoods says...
5:42pm Sat 5 May 12

Retire dubes, do us all a favour, slow old donkey. Thomas out!!!!!!!

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