Oxford united FC
Oxford United midfielder Tyler Goodrham ‘relishing’ responsibility
The U’s academy graduate returned to competitive action last week against MK Dons for the time since New Year’s Day where he picked up a season-ending injury.
Goodrham performed well in pre-season, reminding supporters how influential he can be in an attacking midfield position.
The 23-year-old was at the heart of a lot of positive attacking moves in Oxford’s friendly fixtures and picked up a goal in a 3-1 win over League Two side Crawley Town.
Speaking ahead of the League One opening game, Goodrham revealed his desire to become a source of goals and assists for Ramsey’s Yellows this season.
“I want to be the one that people look to, to go forward and create stuff, and I kind of relish the challenge to go and do that,” the U’s no.11 declared.
“But…it’s a team game.
“You’ve got to look at how many good players we’ve got – top-end League One, good Championship players – I think everything will kind of work itself out.
“I’ve sat down with my missus, [first team coach] Chris Hackett and all the staff.
“I am not necessarily putting a number to it, but I think we all know there’s a kind of idea of what I want to go and do and achieve.
“I won’t say the numbers, but there’s an idea.
“It would be easy for me to say I want to go score 46 goals and score every game, but it’s just going out there and being the best version of myself.
“I definitely feel a lot of belief and that freedom to go and express myself and just be me really – just go out there, be happy, go play football, but also work hard in the process.”
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Goodrham is the first-choice no.10 in a Yellows squad that is slightly thin given the current temporary transfer embargo they find themselves in.
The ban has meant that the squad is largely the same one that came down from the Championship last season.
The young attacking midfielder insists that this can be used to the U’s advantage.
“Because of the embargo and stuff, no one is coming in.
“I think that has kind of pulled us closer together and you build those closer relationships with each other.
“You’re kind of working with the same people every day; it is not someone is leaving here, someone is coming in.
“We are a very close group and everyone wants everyone to succeed.”
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.
READ MORE: Oxford City to face former Premier League winners Leicester City in FA Cup
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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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