The days of a high ball being played forward to the likes of Steve Anthrobus will be a thing of the past at Mark Wright's Oxford United.

Anthrobus, one of the slowest centre forwards the club have had in recent years, has been released. But it is new manager Wright's whole ethos which suggests that this type of player might not be seen much when the new era begins at The Kassam Stadium in August.

Mark WrightThe former Liverpool and England defender made a point of stressing the importance of mobility in the players he will be bringing to Oxford, and keeping at Oxford.

"I don't believe you get anywhere unless you are mobile," Wright said. "And I don't just mean up front. As a defender, if you can't handle a one-on-one, you shouldn't be playing.

"I am looking for people who are mobile - young and hungry players who want to achieve something, not people who are static.

"And I don't want people who are looking for a cosy life, just happy to be picking up their wages each week."

Wright and his assistant Ted McMinn have spent a considerable time since their appointment 12 days ago scouring through the best of the non-league game to see who can be brought to Oxford to improve the squad.

"There is absolutely no difference between the better teams in the Conference and those in the third division," Wright emphasised.

No new players have yet been signed, but United fans can be sure to expect several coming to the club over the summer.

"There are certain players I'm very interested in," Wright confirmed. "I've got about 11 I'm looking at, but things won't happen that quickly. It's not until the end of this month, for instance, that clubs' lists of those retained and released are produced."

Even at non-league level, wages are escalating at an astonishing rate, making the job of any manager difficult.

There are some non-league clubs, whose average gates are less than 1,000, paying £750 a week to their players.

"Wages being paid at non-league level are astonishing," Wright agreed, relating the tale of one largely untested player who has joined Morecambe for a £60,000 fee and high wages.

"We're looking for boys who will be free transfers on Bosmans, and can step through and be successful for us in the third division.

"I want people who really want to be here."

Wright added: "People have to be patient, I can't turn it around overnight. The fans may be saying 'oh, he's not bringing in any big-name players', but I will be bringing in the players who I believe will do well for us.

"I've had a look at the videos of some of our matches from last season and some of the goals we conceded were awful. And when a team has a minus 46 goal difference it tells you there is something fundamentally wrong."

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