Supporters group OxVox have warned chairman Firoz Kassam that he needs to unite the fans if attendances at Oxford United are not to drop further.

In an open letter to the U's chairman, the Independent Oxford United Supporters Trust have called for the appointment of a chief executive to run the club on a daily basis, and for an improvement in public relations.

The treatment of the former management team, Ramon Diaz, Jean Marc Goiran and Horacio Rodriguez among them, left a sour taste in the mouth of many fans, and many felt embarrassed to be Oxford United supporters, OxVox say.

"Public events have tarnished the image of the club," stated the OxVox committee in their open letter.

"There has been a series of publicity blunders, culminating in the disappointing scenes at the Chester game when the outgoing management team were denied entry to the stadium, and reports of staff and stewards being threatened with the sack if they did not adhere to this policy.

"Such situations should never arise.

"The situation could have been handled much better, and surely it was a small and appropriate concession to allow them to take the team for the last match of their tenure, and have the opportunity to thank the fans and for the fans to reciprocate.

"While you may not have been able to reach an amicable agreement with them to continue their obvious improvements at the club, that should not have prevented an amicable end to their relationship with yourself and the fans.

"For those there or watching subsequent TV reports it was an afternoon to be embarrassed to be an Oxford United fan."

OxVox also criticised Kassam for saying he would happily let United play in front of no fans rather than have supporters protesting against his actions.

"Such statements do little to endear you to the Oxford United supporters or public at large, which surely must be your first aim in everything you do in connection with the club."

On uniting the fans, OxVox say: "The club's home attendances reduced by some 15 per cent last season.

"This is not wholly attributable to poor performances on the field.

"There is an air of resignation about the place, and fans lack confidence that anything will change, or that there is a burning ambition for success.

"The consensus is that excessive budgetary controls, constant managerial changes, lack of marketing and minimal communication between yourself and the supporters and indeed OxVox, have done much to discourage even the most optimistic.

"Everyone will wish Brian Talbot well, and his appointment taken in isolation may well turn out to be a good one.

"But we are worried that the necessary unity will not be achieved without the changes we suggest."

OxVox hope that by bringing these views into the open, they will "stimulate" open and free discourse between Kassam and the supporters on the important issues facing the club in advance of Friday's Fans' Forum at the Kassam Stadium.