FAREWELL TO ‘BALD EAGLE’
OXFORD boss Karl Robinson believes this week’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City gives his club the perfect opportunity to say goodbye to Jim Smith.
The Bald Eagle led Oxford from the old third division to the top flight for the only time in their history during one of three spells in charge at the old Manor Ground.
He passed away at the age of 79 on Tuesday.
And Robinson reckons the visit of Pep Guardiola’s Premier League champions to the Kassam Stadium on Wednesday night will be an emotional celebration of Smith – regardless of the result.
“Man City, at home in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup, was always going to be a massive occasion,” said Robinson (right). “But now it takes on even more significance.
“I want us to pay tribute to Jim by producing a performance that he would have been proud of. It will be an emotional night for our club. It’s important that our players connect with that and that our fans are able to show their respect.
“I’m not sure Pep Guardiola will have heard very much about Jim Smith. But, when we played City in this competition last year, his preparations were meticulous and I am sure he will know something about the man by the time he arrives at the Kassam.
“Pep will certainly be made aware by our supporters how much love and respect Jim commands in the Oxfordshire area.”
Robinson added: “The older generation of our fans will always remember those great times at the Manor Ground.
“But Jim’s achievements will never be forgotten, because those stories are passed down from one generation to the next.
“I remember growing up in Liverpool and being educated by my dad about the great things Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley did for the club we supported.
“I can’t pay a bigger tribute to Jim Smith than to say that he will be remembered by Oxford United like Shankly and Paisley are at Anfield.”
City emerged 3-0 winners on their way to lifting the Carabao Cup last season. But
Robinson helped forge his reputation when his MK Dons side hammered Manchester United 4-0 in the same competition five years ago. He said: “I have a few players who are capable of going on and playing at the very top level. This is their opportunity to prove to other people that what I’m saying is a realistic target for them.
“I said the same thing to my players at MK
Dons when we beat Man United – and a few of them seized that opportunity and then went on to bigger and better things.
“Dele Alli is the obvious one – but there were others.
“Sam Baldock and Benik Afobe both played in the Premier League and Will Grigg played in the Championship and went to the Euros with Northern Ireland.
“That will be the message to my players on Wednesday night.”