FIROZ Kassam says Ian Atkins will have the money to bring up to around five new players in during the summer, writes JON MURRAY.

Describing this season as "a disaster", Kassam said he was allowing Atkins to bring in his own players - he has already brought in nearly half a dozen - "so that there can be no excuses and so that previous managers cannot be blamed".

The Oxford United chairman said: "We have had too many managers who have signed too many bad players.

"I have given Ian a two-year plus-a-year (option) contract, which is quite a long one, and next season we want results, I don't want any excuses."

Kassam admitted this season's results had brassed him off.

"Saturdays wreck my week and I feel I haven't been able to concentrate on my other business in the way I want to because of them."

However, he is urging supporters to show their support for the club in a positive manner at the last game of the season against Darlington today.

Some fans last week suggested a bin bag protest to demonstrate "what rubbish" has been served up this season - United will finish it in their lowest ever Football League position.

But Kassam said: "We will be presenting the Player of the Year trophy, and an award to Jack Casley, who has been at the club for 42 years and deserves the fans' applause.

"The players will be throwing autographed footballs into the crowd, there are all of the children from the Centre of Excellence on the pitch before the game, and it should be a time to look forward, not back.

"I would urge the supporters not to show their frustration on the day by staging a protest."

Kassam added that, if supporters want to talk to him, he will host a fans' forum at which he will answer their questions and listen to what they have to say.

"That is, I believe, the correct way to channel the fans' energies.

"We have a young team who need their support, and I would urge all of our supporters to get behind the team one last time this season."