Nelson + Whyte

Hi all,

I've been keeping half an eye on your club after you bought the mentioned pair in the summer, fair play for your post lockdown form, looks like you've all but comfirmed a play off spot.

I wasn't really surprised when you signed Nelson, think most Oxford fans knew he was a capable Championship defender. From my perspective, was a shame when you spent quite a bit on Flint, seemed to limit Nelson's playing time initially, but seems to have settled into your starting XI now.

Whyte was the opposite really, think most of us thought he could do with another season in L1 before moving, but seemed to get quite a few starts before dropping out of the squad, haven't seen him playing much recently.

To summarise, I'm just wondering what Cardiff fans' opinions on the pair were. Do you think Nelson could continue starting if you were promoted? Could Whyte be loaned/sold next season?

Thanks in advance, good luck for rest of the season (+ hopefully the play offs).

Hello Oxfordfan,

Nelson had a bit of a rocky start but since he came back into the first team he's been playing really well and is now well established as first choice partner for Morrison ahead of Aden Flint and a returning Sol Bamba.

Still learning his trade but already looks solid at this level. Not sure he'd be able to cope in the Premier League if we managed to get promoted through the play offs. His pace has been a major asset and he seems to read the game well. Prone to the odd mistake but he's certainly had a very decent season for us.

For me Whyte is nowhere near a Championship player. Not even in the squad yesterday and it's difficult to think of anything he's actually contributed this season other than a couple of decent runs in the odd game here and there which ultimately led nowhere. Harris doesn't seem to fancy him and I'm sure he'll go out on loan next season because I can't see anybody paying a fee for him.

When we signed him he was described as the "new George Best"

So far he's been more like George from George and Mildred (ask your grandad!).

Do you fancy taking him back for next season? I know a few fans who'd happily pay his train fare.

Good luck for next season and well done for almost getting promoted this year

Nelson is a decent player but makes silly decisions regarding positioning and when to step out of defence and costs us goals.
He is however brilliant in the air defensively.

Whyte is a headless chicken who needs time a a lower club to improve to the required standard.

I like them both. Nelson has been excellent recently. Whyte looked good but I think his future might be as a right back.

I live in Carterton and have been to see Oxford a few times this year. Really impressed with your style of play and can’t believe that you didn’t beat Wycombe after battering them.

Do you worry you will lose some players end of season? I think you have two or three who could step into the championship and be class at this level. Dickie mainly who I think is a future star.

Hello Oxfordfan,

Nelson had a bit of a rocky start but since he came back into the first team he's been playing really well and is now well established as first choice partner for Morrison ahead of Aden Flint and a returning Sol Bamba.

Still learning his trade but already looks solid at this level. Not sure he'd be able to cope in the Premier League if we managed to get promoted through the play offs. His pace has been a major asset and he seems to read the game well. Prone to the odd mistake but he's certainly had a very decent season for us.

For me Whyte is nowhere near a Championship player. Not even in the squad yesterday and it's difficult to think of anything he's actually contributed this season other than a couple of decent runs in the odd game here and there which ultimately led nowhere. Harris doesn't seem to fancy him and I'm sure he'll go out on loan next season because I can't see anybody paying a fee for him.

When we signed him he was described as the "new George Best"

So far he's been more like George from George and Mildred (ask your grandad!).

Do you fancy taking him back for next season? I know a few fans who'd happily pay his train fare.

Good luck for next season and well done for almost getting promoted this year

Nelson's pace was also seen as one of his biggest assets for us, but had a bad injury (Achilles, 6 months out IIRC) which hampered him a bit. He was showing signs of getting back to his best at the end of last season, so good to hear he has continued to improve.

Like I said with Whyte, general consensus with our fans was that he needed at least one more season to develop before moving. Couple of ITK sources at our end were suggesting he would have been ok staying but we wanted the money. From what I saw, there's definitely potential for him to become a Championship player, hopefully gets a decent loan next season.

Nelson is a decent player but makes silly decisions regarding positioning and when to step out of defence and costs us goals.
He is however brilliant in the air defensively.

Whyte is a headless chicken who needs time a a lower club to improve to the required standard.

Strange as I wouldn't have said Nelson's recognised strength when playing for us was his aerial ability, not saying it was a weakness but seemed to thrive when the ball was on the floor more. Interesting to hear he has improved this side of his game, can only benefit him.

Whyte seemed like a bit of a free spirit at times for us, was given a bit of a free reign, guess you can get away with more at a lower level. Can be brilliant on his day, hopefully improves on what you've seen from him.

I like them both. Nelson has been excellent recently. Whyte looked good but I think his future might be as a right back.

I live in Carterton and have been to see Oxford a few times this year. Really impressed with your style of play and can’t believe that you didn’t beat Wycombe after battering them.

Do you worry you will lose some players end of season? I think you have two or three who could step into the championship and be class at this level. Dickie mainly who I think is a future star.

One of the reasons I liked seeing Whyte play was his work rate, got back as much as he got forward, would be interesting to see him in a wing back position.

Thanks for the commiserations, most of our fans have accepted Dickie and Brannagan will be moving on, probably to Championship teams. As you say, Dickie is brilliant, certainly has surpassed what we saw from Nelson whilst he has here. Wouldn't surprise me to see him move to a lower PL team (has been linked to Southampton and Burnley).

Cheers for the responses, has been good to get an insight.

For me as a centre back Nelson gets done to often in the air.

For me as a centre back Nelson gets done to often in the air.

Strange I would say its his strength here so far, I dont see him lose many battles. Its his reading of a game that's lacking to me as he gets pulled out of defence too easily and doesn't win the ball leaving us vulnerable at the back. That is just down to inexperience at this level though and will improve over time. The midfielders and strikers are a much higher standard than he is used to and are a bit too clever at times for him.

I don't think the gaffers given up on Whyte yet.To be fair the lad has a massive engine,something thats needed in the prem should we get there and I feel his future could be as a wingback in a back 5.

I really like Nelson who is a very good player at championship level. Has been outstanding since the comeback. Whyte is a funny one we were expecting a fast tricky winger who could score goals but Warncok seemed to use him as more of a midfield workhorse helping out the defence.i liked him I always thought he put in a good shift every game and maybe we weren't using him right. A bit surprised he hasn't featured at all recently.

Vet impressed by Oxford in the playoffs they played some class passing football a bit surprised they lost to Wycombe.

I really like Nelson who is a very good player at championship level. Has been outstanding since the comeback. Whyte is a funny one we were expecting a fast tricky winger who could score goals but Warncok seemed to use him as more of a midfield workhorse helping out the defence.i liked him I always thought he put in a good shift every game and maybe we weren't using him right. A bit surprised he hasn't featured at all recently.

Vet impressed by Oxford in the playoffs they played some class passing football a bit surprised they lost to Wycombe.

yes i expected Whyte to be more of fast tricky type from what was said... having said that when played i think he has given lots of effort and been disciplined covering and getting his positioning right while we are not in possession just so little going forward..final ball has often been poor and should have scored at the Liberty...

Cheers again for the responses, has been interesting to get your opinions. One more question now if that's ok; we've been linked to Jazz Richards, do you think he'd be a good signing for us? Hopefully you can return the favour after you got Nelson!

Cheers again for the responses, has been interesting to get your opinions. One more question now if that's ok; we've been linked to Jazz Richards, do you think he'd be a good signing for us? Hopefully you can return the favour after you got Nelson!

Nelson has been great and nailed down a spot whilst Whyte is still raw and learning as his final ball is disappointing imo. I wouldnt wish Jazz Richard's on anyone as the guy should be retired as he cant get on the pitch

Cheers again for the responses, has been interesting to get your opinions. One more question now if that's ok; we've been linked to Jazz Richards, do you think he'd be a good signing for us? Hopefully you can return the favour after you got Nelson!

If, and it's a massive if, you could get him on the pitch he'd be very decent for you. Trouble is he is constantly injured and I mean constantly.

If you could sign him on a pay as you play deal he might be worth a gamble but honestly if I were Oxford I wouldn't touch him with a bargepole.

Shame to hear that, his lack of appearances over the last few seasons did look suspicious. Guess we'll see what happens. Thanks all