Fans' spokesman Trevor Lambert said today he was "relieved" that a decision had been taken for Jim Smith to stand down as Oxford United manager.

Mr Lambert, a spokesman for fans' group OxVox, also welcomed the appointment of Darren Patterson as manager, adding that the change at the top had come in time for the U's to save their season.

Mr Lambert said: "There is still half the season left and the play-offs are achievable with a winning run - it's only nine points away.

"The change had to happen now if it was going to have any real effect.

"Darren has been acting manager before and has earned his chance to have a go at the big job.

"Let's hope he can turn the club's fortunes around. It should make things clearer now that he is complete command and players should have a clearer focus of what they are being asked to do.

"The 5-0 defeat against Rushden was a catastrophic and awful performance and that must have been a very difficult moment for the club.

"Lately, some of the teams that have been put out have been unbalanced with some players not appearing to be fit.

"We need fit players playing in positions they are familiar with and we need to play a simple system that produces an attacking game.

"It's no use playing three centre-backs at home against teams that do not score goals.

"We need to look at teams in this division like Torquay who are doing well and learn from that they do.

"It's a shame that Jim Smith was not able to stand down with the team in a winning position, but fans will respect him for making this decision and for what he has done in the past."