davieG Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Merc Matt Oakley is relishing what could be his final season as a professional footballer. The Leicester City captain returned for the first session of pre-season training yesterday in great shape, and said he is determined to make the most of potentially his last campaign. Oakley will be 34 next month and he is planning for life after his career is over, and is a partner in a very successful wine business. But he said if all goes well this season, he may decide to carry on. "In my head I know I could have just one more season in me," he said. "I have one more year left on my contract but, if I really enjoy it this season, I could decide to carry on. "I feel really relaxed. I have had a great summer. I am looking forward to getting into the games now." Oakley was impressive in the dreaded opening-day bleep test, outshining team-mates considerably younger than himself, and he admits he has spent the summer preparing for the new campaign. "I can't go off in the summer and do the things I did when I was younger because I am older now, and have to look after myself much more," he said. "I have been doing some work myself which will make pre-season a little easier. "I have been ticking over and it helps you avoid as much pain." Yesterday was the first chance for Oakley to meet his new team-mates, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, defender Lee Peltier and midfielder Neil Danns, and he is confident they will gel well within the squad. "We have the two weeks away in Sweden and Austria to get to know the lads and, hopefully, we will have a few more joining us as well," he said. "Neil is a creative midfielder who will get forward and score goals for us, and Kasper had an excellent season last year. He is a good acquisition and has a good presence. "I don't know too much about Lee but, from what I do know, he is a young lad who has broken through and done very well. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do for us. "With a few more additions, we will have a good go for it again this year."
TheUltimateWinner Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Great to hear if he did, He would retire with us. Well Done Oakley
Collymore Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 I know Oakley has had his doubters but we really must congratulate him on his dedication to our club. I can't think of a better role model, he's like our very own Gerrard. I hope the "younger" players looked at his bleep test times and felt ashamed. I love you Matt
Uncle Phil Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Fair play to him, glad to see he's keeping himself in shape for the new season. Hope he does himself justice when called upon this season but I have a sneaky suspicion that after one small mistake people will be calling for his head.
The Year Of The Fox Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Collymore- how can you put gerrard and role model in the same sentence? Its an offence to oakley to be compared to that scum gerrard? GBH etc. Well done oakley, fukin great goal v forest, and noone can fault your committment
whitlock Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Very good servant to the club, always had a soft spot for the bloke. Be nice if he could retire with promotion.
Collymore Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Collymore- how can you put gerrard and role model in the same sentence? Its an offence to oakley to be compared to that scum gerrard? GBH etc. Well done oakley, fukin great goal v forest, and noone can fault your committment Why what's he done?
B52 Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Oakley can be a big suprise this year and he will surely put pressure on his teammates. Great job Oakley. Work ethics in training is very important.
Jimmy Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 I actually liked him as the holding player at he end of last season, surely if that's his role he could have another couple of years, especially if he's sharing the role with Abe
Guest Col city fan Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 I thought Kingy was the Captain now? So did I? I think Oakley has proven he's got a season left.. Fair play to him
FoxesFan123 Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 I think the midfield 3 (or 2, depends how Sven plays it) will be battled out between King, Wellens, Danns and Abe. With Moussa (attacking option) and Oakley (defensive option) providing depth for injuries/suspensions.
The Doctor Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Why what's he done? didn't gerrard lamp a bloke on a night out for something trivial and pathetic?
accessory Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Indeed he did. But at least he didn't take his team into the third division for the first time in its history. Oakley's gonna have to do something special next season to make up for that - if Sven even gives him the chance.
The Year Of The Fox Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Yeh he lamped someone, but as hes st steven of anfiele he got away with it. Oh and he got that young bird pregnant didnt he?
ajthefox Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Indeed he did. But at least he didn't take his team into the third division for the first time in its history. Oakley's gonna have to do something special next season to make up for that - if Sven even gives him the chance. I know he's Captain and all but you make that sound as if it was Oakley's doing all by himself. No fault goes to Mandaric for being trigger happy, the managers we had for being inadequate and the rest of the 30 odd man squad for not performing..
lee(lcfc) Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 i thought he handed the role to king when he signed his contract
Miquel The Work Geordie Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Wouldn't mind Oakley sticking round as a coach, to be honest.
cairnsy Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Indeed he did. But at least he didn't take his team into the third division for the first time in its history. Oakley's gonna have to do something special next season to make up for that - if Sven even gives him the chance. you're a terrible wum, go outside and get some sunlight and then do something useful with yourself.
Corky Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 He had a strong end to his season, hopefully when called upon he can deliver.
Bugg Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 To be honest, by January I thought he was a total waste of space and should leave the club immediately, but in his last couple of months in the season, he really won me over playing the holding role in midfield.
Bob Weasel Fox Posted 2 July 2011 Posted 2 July 2011 Hes okay but really just a stop gap this season surely?
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