Oxford united FC
Mystery surrounds unknown Oxford United on League One return
It was always going to be a big change in expectations after relegation from the Championship; in the last two years the hope has been to simply stay up with the U’s punching above their weight in the second tier.
A return to League One would have naturally would have seen Oxford tipped for a strong season in a weaker division, be that either competing for the automatic promotion places or the play-offs.
But this is not your average season, and it has not been your average summer.
Whilst Aaron Ramsey’s first XI is pretty universally agreed upon by fans and spectators alike and is a admittedly strong team, there is a notable lack of depth.
The transfer embargo has been damaging in that regard, with three players having left the club since it hit (and potentially one or two more) with the Yellows unable to register any new names as replacements.
Alongside that, new head coach and former Arsenal hero Ramsey’s abilities are almost completely untested at a competitive level.
There have been visible imprints of the 35-year-old’s style of play throughout pre-season and in the Carabao Cup defeat to Leyton Orient.
Oxford saw success with these methods in their summer friendlies with four wins from four but were counteracted by Orient who eventually made them pay with two late goals.
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“We are going to be asked questions this season; there’s no doubt about that,” Ramsey said after the game.
“It’s still early on in this process.
“So, for [the players] to experience some questions today, that’s only going to put us in a better place going forward.”
Due to the unfamiliarity that comes with Ramsey’s Oxford, pundits have tipped them to finish both in the top half and in the relegation places.
In addition, League One this season is particularly competitive.
Fellow relegated clubs Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday both look well-equipped to bounce back whilst teams like Plymouth Argyle – despite losing striker Lorent Tolaj – and Luton Town have improved and stabilised.
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Competing at the top given the U’s circumstances will be tough, yet, relegation seems a far-fetched prospect.
The U’s first XI has some real talent for the third tier, particularly if Stan Mills and Brian De Keersmaecker remain at the club.
With the transfer embargo proving a significant obstacle and the club stating that the financial issues will not be resolved until the January window, surviving to the winter in a relatively comfortable position should be the goal.
Squad depth will be an issue to tackle week by week, but if the Yellows can get to January in a place where they can attract and convince third-tier talent to join then the second half of the season will be full steam ahead.
Referee Thomas Parsons dished out two red cards as Oxford drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town on Thursday night.
Parsons handed second yellow cards to Peter Kioso and Gatlin O’Donkor, Mansfield’s equaliser through Michael Smith coming after the former’s dismissal.
The Stags goal and the duo of red cards all came within nine minutes, the U’s holding firm to see out a point with nine men.
It came after United had taken the lead in the first half through a sweet strike from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch.
Speaking after the match, U’s head coach Ramsey aired his thoughts: “My immediate feeling is I’m super proud of the players, the way they finished that game.
“We went down to eight men for a minute (after a knock for Brodie Spencer) which seemed forever.
“But for us to dig in and to show that togetherness, staying connected as a team, defending the box, bodies on the line, I couldn’t have asked for any more.
“I was super, super proud of them tonight.”
Kioso’s sending off caused outrage among Oxford affiliates, the referee judging the right back to have dived as he went down under contact in Mansfield’s penalty area.
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Ramsey continued: “I disagree with the decision.
“For me, there’s certainly contact in the area there.
“And, I mean, for the ref then to go ahead and to book him as well, in my opinion, there’s no way PK has dived there.
“So, of course, a big moment in the game where I thought it should have been a penalty.”
For the second red card, O’Donkor received a soft first yellow before making a clumsy challenge to leave the referee with no choice but to show another.
“The first one, I believe it wasn’t a yellow card. And then the second one, it is what it is.”
The hosts’ eventual goal came from a Jamie Cumming mistake, the goalkeeper unable to deal with a cross which was then bundled into the net by Smith.
Despite the error, Ramsey had no ill feelings: “No frustration at all.
“Things happen on the football pitch, but it’s the way that we respond to these things.
“And, like I said, everybody was digging in for each other.
“A couple of players sent off, but I didn’t see that affecting us to accept the defeat, if you like.
“I saw a team that were fighting right until the end to come away with it with something.”
Two league away fixtures in a row have resulted in four points from six, with the U’s now five unbeaten in League One ahead of three consecutive home clashes, starting with Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows took the lead in the first half thanks to a peach from Aston Villa loanee Luka Lynch, before a chaotic second half saw Oxford concede an equaliser and reduced to nine men.
Defender Peter Kioso and striker Gatlin O’Donkor both received second yellow cards, meaning United had to weather a late storm to hold onto a point at the One Call Stadium.
Here is how we rated the U’s on Thursday night…
Jamie Cumming – 4.5
Three total saves but a couple of sketchy moments with his feet.
Fumbled the ball for the equaliser, not strong enough coming for the cross.
Disappointing on his return to the team and needs to get some form and rhythm back.
Peter Kioso – 5
Kioso was a bit clumsy in some of his actions, picking up a booking and winning fewer than half of his duels.
Began the second period better, but was dismissed with 15 minutes left after the referee judged him to have dived, receiving a second yellow.
Michal Helik – 6
A couple of slip-ups with his feet but was in the right place to deal with crosses for most of the evening.
11 clearances to his name with backs against the wall late on.
Ciaron Brown – 7
Instinctive to find himself in the right areas at the right times as the Stags got forward.
Immense with 15 total clearances, won all six of his duels and put in a good sliding challenge after a dangerous Mansfield cross.
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Brodie Spencer – 5
Needed help as left one versus one – sometimes versus two – a lot in the first half and dribbled past twice.
Won four of his five tackles.
Cameron Brannagan – 5
A big error almost led to a goal which was out of character but passing was decent overall with one key pass to his name.
Kai Andrews – 5.5
Got forward a bit more in the second half before having to defend again after the red cards.
Louie Sibley (O’Donkor 59′) – 5
Taken off at the hour mark after a tough outing against a persistent Mansfield.
Luka Lynch (Missanga 59′) – 7.5
A beauty of a strike for his first professional goal and was easily United’s biggest threat.
Was dangerous both cutting inside and getting to the by-line, beating his man and winning three fouls.
That is three assists and one goal in his first five Yellows appearances. Not bad.
Mark Harris (Currie 77′)- 5
Isolated up top.
He is not a hold-up striker so struggled to get involved, with the midfield not there to help him out on many occasions.
His only effort all game was an early glancing header wide.
Siriki Dembele (Long 80′) – 6
A quiet one for his standards this season but grabbed an assist, performed some important carries and won three fouls.
Substitutes:
Mo Missanga (59′) – 6
Gatlin O’Donkor (59′) – 4
Unlucky with the first booking but a silly challenge for his second whilst already on a yellow.
Jack Currie (77′) – N/A
Sam Long (80′) – N/A
Oxford United travel to face Mansfield Town in League One as they look to extend their unbeaten streak to five games.
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