Oxford united FC
Aaron Ramsey likes Oxford United squad quality in League One opener
The U’s take on newly-promoted MK Dons at the Kassam Stadium on Saturday after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup last week.
Ramsey is looking for his first competitive win in charge of United after being appointed head coach in June.
Oxford were hit with a transfer embargo weeks later which has seen them not be able to register any new players in the summer transfer window.
Despite this, the former Arsenal man is confident of his side’s quality ahead of the new league season.
“There were a few players missing from the last squad, but I feel like this squad is why I came here, to work with them,” Ramsey stated.
“I’ve been really impressed with the quality throughout pre-season, and also a chance to see the younger boys coming through.
“That was evident in the last game, seeing so many of them finish the game and having that opportunity.
“They deserved that opportunity as well.
“Seeing that the academy’s in a good place with some really good youngsters coming through.
“Everybody’s got a part to play this year, and that’s going to be so important.”
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Oxford face a well backed Dons side who have invested heavily summer and are expected to compete at the top end of the table after promotion from League Two last season.
Under experienced manager Paul Warne, Ramsey’s Yellows will have a tough challenge in their first fixture.
“They’re very well drilled in what they do.
“We’re going to have to be really active tomorrow, doing all the things out of possession as well.
“It’s going to be really key for us to get that sort of control on the game.
“It’s just for us to show courage.
“Show courage on the ball, be exciting, create opportunities and use that really good energy around the place to express ourselves.”
The former Wales international confirmed in his pre-match press conference that last season’s Player of the Year, Stan Mills, is to join Championship club Preston North End in January after heavy interest from the Lilywhites this summer.
The winger was absent from the squad at Orient last week but is set to be available for selection on the opening day.
Midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker is also ready for action; he did not feature at Brisbane Road either and did not make an appearance in pre-season.
“They have both trained,” confirmed Ramsey.
“I’ve just come in from training now, but me and my staff will go through that and put a squad together.
“Both trained this week and are available for selection.”
The U’s have been handed a home draw with the Boro in their first FA Cup fixture of the season.
Oxford have not played in this round of the competition since 2023 when they were last in League One.
Aaron Ramsey’s side have faced Stevenage once already this season, winning 2-1 at the Broadhall Way in their second game of the league season.
The Yellows lie eighth in the table at the time of the draw and are set to face Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night at the Kassam Stadium.
Alex Revell’s Stevenage sit 12th in the table after a middling start to the season.
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Last season, Oxford reached the fourth round of the historic cup competition, beating MK Dons away on penalties when entering in the third round before losing 1-0 to Premier League side Sunderland at home in the fifth round.
The match will be Ramsey’s first in the competition as manager after winning the tournament three FA Cup titles with Arsenal as a player.
Oxford’s best run in the competition came in the 1963/64 season when they reached the quarter-finals, becoming the first ever Fourth Division club to do so.
Meanwhile, Oxford City are set to face former Premier League and FA Cup champions Leicester City at the MGroup Stadium.
Oxford United supporters travelling to the stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, October 20, are being told to allow extra time for their journeys due to ongoing works.
There are no changes to the usual travel arrangements, and no road closures are in place.
However, diversions will remain in place after the match on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road to help manage traffic flow.
Roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road at the roundabout with Grenoble Road are causing significant delays.
Fans are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and allow extra time for their journey.
Away supporters are also advised to consider alternative routes to the stadium.
The club said: “Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from the stadium.”
The U’s drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town last Thursday in a chaotic game which saw two Oxford players sent off.
Luka Lynch’s wonder goal from the edge of the box put the Yellows ahead before Peter Kioso was dismissed for an alleged dive in the second half resulting in a second yellow card.
Mansfield then equalised before Gatlin O’Donkor was sent off for a second yellow.
Oxford face strugglers Wigan Athletic, who sit bottom of the table, on Tuesday night as they look to extend their League One unbeaten run to six matches.
In his preview of the midweek fixture, Ramsey confirmed that Aidomo Emakhu is ready to play after his two-month long absence: “He’s available.
“Obviously we’ve got a decision to make now.
“But for me, I know we’ve got a real competitive squad. No problems with whoever comes in at all.”
Emakhu’s return coincides with the suspension of fellow forward O’Donkor and comes at a good time for Oxford.
The chaos that ensued last week at the One Call Stadium was frustrating, with the U’s head coach disagreeing with the first red card decision.
Amongst all the controversy, Ramsey remained calm on the touchline, with his side going on to see out a draw with a resolute, nine-man defensive performance in the final stages.
When asked about his demeanour during games, the 35-year-old said: “My stance doesn’t change.
“I was obviously very frustrated. That decision ultimately cost us the game really.
“The decision has been made. What are you going to do? Just rile yourself up for no particular reason?
“I want my team to still be in control of the situation, even though there’s a lot of chaos going on around. Because there’s still a job to be done at the end of the day.
“There are a lot of distractions on the pitch and frustrations and things like that. For me, you have to remain calm in those situations.
“Otherwise, things just spiral out of control.
“Of course, we’re all frustrated, for sure. But you have to still do a job in those moments and try and have that blue head in those really heated periods in games.
“For me, there will be a moment as well where something has to be done and there will be some different reactions. But in general, I want us to be in control of what we do.
“Some moments in the game that are required where you need your full concentration.
“What good is that if you’re still complaining about things?”
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