Ron Atkinson has urged Oxford United not to panic and is confident his old pal Jim Smith can get the club back on track.

Following a board meeting, Smith's future at the club is set to be cleared up.

Speculation is rife that the U's boss may step aside following a series of poor results, culminating in last week's 5-0 defeat at Rushden.

The 67-year-old is reported to have told friends that he is ready to "move upstairs" and become the club's sporting director.

But Atkinson says that Smith's position should not be questioned, despite the club's poor form and disappointing league position.

"The nature of the game these days is that everyone wants success and if they don't get it, they want the manager out," Atkinson told the Oxford Mail.

"Every club has injuries, but when you have six first-team regulars sidelined, there are excuses - and that's certainly the case with Jim.

"Winning the league may already be out of their grasp, but they are not that far off the play-offs and hopefully this season will be the complete opposite of last when they were unstoppable in the early part, but struggled in the second part.

"I am sure that come the end of the season they will be in the play-offs.

"You have to back Jim to see it through - there isn't anyone else who you would rather have in charge."

United reached the second round of the FA Youth Cup with a 2-1 extra-time victory over AFC Bournemouth at Court Place Farm last night.

Alex Fisher scored both goals to earn his side a trip to Stevenage in round two.