OXFORD United's players were today going through their final preparations for the start of the 1998-9 season with manager Malcolm Shotton declaring that he wants to improve on last season's position of 12th place in the table.

Division 1 is now effectively made up of two divisions within one - those clubs that can open the cheque book and those that can't - and United did remarkably well last season to finish as top among the poorer relations.

But Shotton sees no reason why his team can't climb higher and maybe challenge for the play-offs.

"I would like to better 12th because that's progress," he said. "If we get off to a good start, then who knows?

"Who would have said that in 1984, 85, 86 we would win the third division, second division and Milk Cup three years on the bounce?"

Shotton insists the days of half-hearted displays are gone. As well as being very fit, his squad are focused and commited.

"The laid-back players at this club have gone. The ones here are professional and committed."

United's manager added that there was a "great will to win" among the players.

"There is a tremendous spirit and we are all in it together pulling for one another. Everyone wants to get hold of a yellow shirt and keep it. "They are all fighting to get into the line-up on Saturday which makes my job that bit harder.

"The players know that if they do well for the team they do well for themselves. The thing is . . . if you do well nowadays, the finances in football are frightening. If you get a couple of moves, you're a millionaire."

Dean Windass's registration with the Football League has gone through this week and the record signing from Aberdeen will make his United debut in midfield, but Shotton is keeping his cards close to his chest.

It's not clear whether he will plump in attack for Matt Murphy, who has impressed in pre-season, or Andy Thomson, a free transfer signing from Southend.

Bristol City, who drew 1-1 with Southampton and lost 5-0 to Borussia Moenchengladbach last week, could have five summer signings in their line-up.

They have splashed out heavily on new players including £1.2m on Ade Akinbiyi from Gillingham and £1m on fellow striker Tony Thorpe from Luton. The other three are Soren Andersen from Danish club Aalborg, Julian Watts (Leicester) and Carl Hutchings (Brentford).

Shotton said: "It will be a near full house, but the longer we can keep their supporters quiet the better chance we'll have."

FANS are advised to arrive early because of a balloon festival in Bristol which is expected to draw 250,000 people to the city.

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