Oxford united FC
Oxford United defender Sam Long ‘optimistic’ despite Carabao Cup loss
The Yellows lost 2-0 to Leyton Orient to exit the Carabao Cup in the first round.
Ramsey’s men held out until the 85 th minute when Demetri Mitchell bagged a late opening goal before Idris El Mizouni doubled the O’s lead three minutes after.
It was the former Arsenal midfielder’s first competitive match in charge of Oxford, with the League One opening day arriving next weekend.
United began the game brightly but were soon prevented from playing in their new style thanks to the hosts’ pressing and man-marking.
“We need to be able to look at certain situations in games and adapt quicker,” Long admitted after the loss at Brisbane Road.
“I don’t think it’s up to the staff all the time.
“I think we’re within the game and…we’re really experienced players in there.
“We should be better at adapting at that and we’ll learn.
“We’ve got another full week on the training pitch to right some wrongs that we’ve done today.
“But I think if you look at the pre-season as a whole and today, I think we can be optimistic about this season.
READ MORE: Oxford United player ratings in Leyton Orient cup defeat
READ MORE: Oxford United lose to Leyton Orient in Aaron Ramsey competitive debut
“We’ve improved a lot within our structure and everything like that.
“I think we can take the positives, learn on the negatives and go again next week.
Aaron Ramsey says Stan Mills has trained on his own the last few days:
🗣️ “It was a medical decision for him to train over the last few days on his own to be able to re-join the group next week”#oufc 🟡
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026
“On another day, I think we win that game, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
The Bicester-born right back is one of the players that was in the League One play-off-winning squad of 2023/24 along with other notable names such as captain Cameron Brannagan and Ciaron Brown.
In the midst of a transfer embargo and with the club having to fight to keep hold of their star players this summer, United face a tough task to get out of the third tier immediately after their Championship relegation.
“We’ve got a lot of experience in there; a lot of experience of getting out of this league,” reiterated the 31-year-old.
🚨 Aaron Ramsey on Brian De Keersmaecker extended absence from the Oxford United squad:
🗣️ “Him and Stan were training back home and hopefully they can both join the group.
“They are two different cases where Brian hasn’t played any minutes. Stan has.
“Hopefully now next week…
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) August 8, 2026
“It’s not going to be easy.
“It wasn’t easy the first time we were in it and it’s not going to be easy this time if we want to get out.
“I’ve got to be on my game and so has everybody else to keep their shirt because, although we’re in an embargo, we’ve still got a good squad and there is good competition for places.”
The Yellows begin their league campaign on Saturday, welcoming newly-promoted, but heavy-spending, MK Dons to the Kassam Stadium.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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