Oxford United go into tomorrow's 2000-2001 season pipe-opener with Peterborough determined to prove everyone wrong.

The bookies have made United one of the favourites for relegation from Division 2 and even their own fans are pessimistic about how the season may pan out.

But manager Denis Smith believes his new-look team may just surprise them all.

"We've got a lot of people to prove wrong," he said. "I understand that, because we haven't spent money, everyone's writing us off, but there are a lot of other things going on here, behind the scenes, which makes it a better all-round unit.

"There's definitely a buzz among the players and they were flying in training yesterday. Everything's all in place and we haven't got any injuries - apart from Ross Weatherstone."

United worked yesterday on a wingbacks formation and, with the players he has in the team, Smith's best option does look to be to play 3-5-2 at home and 5-3-2 away, rather than the 4-4-2 he has so often used in the past.

John Robertson and Paul Powell both look better suited to wingbacks and having a central three appears to make better use of Matt Murphy, last season's top scorer.

"When the 11 go out at 3 o'clock, many fans may be surprised," he said.

Smith could select Jon Richardson, Lee Jarman and Ian McGuckin as his central three, and will probably go for Steve Anthrobus alongside another new signing, Manny Omoyinmi.

That would leave both Joey Beauchamp and Derek Lilley on the bench.

Former Oxford City striker Howard Forinton is expected to be one of the Peterborough subs.

Boss Barry Fry is playing down Posh's prospects this season.

"We'll struggle because we haven't added anything to what we had and have reduced our squad," he said.