Kerrouche can be big hit - Wilder (From The Oxford Times)

Kerrouche can be big hit - Wilder

10:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in U's News By Mark Edwards

CHRIS Wilder says that he had to put the Oxford-Swindon rivalry aside when bringing Mehdi Kerrouche to the Kassam Stadium.

The Swindon striker has joined the U’s on a month’s loan, but will not be able to play when the sides meet in their derby clash on March 3.

However, Wilder admits he had to look at players rather than the club they play for when making his decision over new signings.

“He’s a genuine goalscorer,” Wilder said.

“He scored a goal every two games earlier in the season, so has good stats.

“It’s a decision made by the manager at Swindon that he’s not in his plans and we have reacted.”

United’s manager added: “I have to take myself out of the rivalry (when it comes to this transfer).

“All I am interested in players who want to come to this football club and improve it.

“He does that. He has turned other clubs down to come here and is 100 per cent committed, “I get the feeling he was quite well-liked there through his all-round play and attitude, hopefully once he starts getting into our team and scoring goals that’s all I can only be interested in.”

Wilder knows that there will be a few Oxford supporters who will not be impressed at their club signing somebody from their rivals.

But he is urging the dissenting voices to look at the decision in a positive manner.

“I can’t affect those people,” he said. “All I can do is affect the team.

“Does Mehdi come in, and make us better? Yes, he does.

“The timing of it is important because we have got those injuries and we think we have got a good player for a month.

“The rivalry between Oxford and Swindon is fierce, I understand that, but people have gone from Manchester United to City, Adebayor went to Tottenham from Arsenal and possibly the biggest one is the Glasgow one.

“I can’t affect all the people, but all I ask is give the boy a chance and if he gets himself up and running and shows the qualities he has, then he adds to our squad.

“As a manager, that’s all I can do.”