Jim Smith admits he's less than enamoured by the likely television crew intrusion as Oxford United make their Setanta debut at Cambridge United tonight.

The Irish satellite TV broadcaster have chosen the Blue Square Premier clash for their second live game.

But in return for the money they have put into the Conference, Setanta want to get up close and personal.

There was even talk of the two managers being wired up with microphones, so viewers could listen to their every word.

The U's boss, though, is not likely to agree to that - he'd have to curb his language if he did! - and he says he has not in any case had exact details of what is proposed.

"I went to a meeting about this television deal, where there was all this talk about cameras in the dressing room and everything you can imagine," sais Smith.

"Apparently in the north they had hundreds of questions, but in the south there weren't any questions because we said we'd like it all written down in front of us so that we can study it . . . and here we are with the season started and nothing's arrived.

"At live matches, they want to come to the hotel, and listen to the team talk, put cameras in the dressing room - but without sound - they want to talk to the subs as you take them off, they want to talk to him, and to him and to me . . . it's too much.

"They want mikes on us as well. The return for what they want isn't enough."

In Sunday's first televised match between Torquay and Grays, a camera crew raced onto the pitch at the final whistle to interview Grays goalkeeper Ross Flitney on his heroics, sticking a microphone in front of him even before he'd had the chance to pick up his gloves!

Neither the Conference nor Setanta have been prepared to say how much clubs receive from the TV deal.

Indeed, Torquay United chief executive Colin Lee said after the Gulls' televised 0-0 draw with Grays on Sunday night that he still hadn't been told what clubs are getting.

It's understood the appearance fee for being selected for a live game isn't much more than Sky offered last season, though the away team gets slightly more.

However, clubs have received £50,000 up front and that's why they jumped at it.

Smith said: "For Thursday night games at home, when we won't get as big a gate as for a Saturday, we could lose money."