Oxford united FC
Oxford United star previews Northern Ireland play-off against Italy
Northern Ireland play their one-legged semi-final against the Azzurri on Thursday evening, with four U’s players involved in the camp.
Should they shock the footballing world and beat Italy, the Green and White Army would qualify for their first World Cup since 1986 and first major tournament since the 2016 European Championships.
“It’s obviously massive pressure going away with Northern Ireland in general because you’re playing for you country but there’s even more pressure on it in terms of, you’re playing to qualify for a World Cup,” Brown declared.
“We’d obviously be going into that game as an underdog, so I think, in that sense, it maybe takes a bit of pressure off you.”
The centre back is not the only United player in the Northern Ireland setup, with Jamie McDonnell, Jamie Donley, and Brodie Spencer all also called up for the semi-final and potential final next week.
“It’s nice,” Brown continued.
“Familiar faces round Oxford but when you go away, you’ve got your teammates from Oxford at Northern Ireland, so it’s a nice thing.
“All the boys get on so well for Northern Ireland. There will be times where obviously us four would be together, and there would be times where we’re all separated into different groups.”
The 28-year-old is playing many an important at present for both club and country.
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Whilst aiming for an historic triumph with his country, Brown is also a key part of the U’s relegation dogfight, with seven crucial games remaining after the international break.
“I always kind of separate the both of them,” the London-born defender contemplated.
“If you perform at club level then you get called up and hopefully get to represent Northern Ireland, but I try and separate the both [and think that] Oxford is kind of done for the next week and a half and now it’s Northern Ireland.
“It would be hard to be in Northern Ireland thinking about Oxford, and it’s hard to think about Northern Ireland when you’ve got a game for Oxford.”
Similarly to his experiences with the Yellows, Brown and his compatriots go into the Italy game as firm underdogs, despite the Azzurri not having qualified for a World Cup since 2014.
If Northern Ireland win on Thursday, they would face one of Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play-off final, with Brown and co. potentially facing U’s teammate and Welsh striker Mark Harris.
The U’s have won three on the trot after dispatching of Blackburn Rovers in a Championship win at the Kassam as the fight for relegation sparks into life.
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Donley bagged the only goal of the game, finding the net for the first time in a yellow shirt as United find themselves in fine form.
After Yellows head coach Bloomfield dedicated Wednesday’s win to academy goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who tragically lost her life last Saturday, here is the rest of what he had to say in his post-match interview.
Thoughts on the performance:
I thought we were very good in the first half. Some of the football we played, our pressing, some of the energy we showed, was really good.
Second half, we came out and were a little bit erratic. We gave away a corner early on and I didn’t like our shape for five minutes. Then we got a foothold and probably the biggest disappointment of the night is to not have been two or three ahead and been a bit more comfortable at the end.
It was a bit nervy at the end, and it wasn’t very nice. I didn’t enjoy it at all, that last bit. Because, at 1-0, it only takes a moment. So, I’m disappointed we didn’t put the game to bed, but to come out with a clean sheet and three points is really pleasing.
If we’d conceded, we’d have all been really disappointed and it would’ve been unjust in my opinion. We should’ve been comfortable at the end, we should’ve been two or three ahead.
There’s plenty more for us to chase and that’s what we need to keep doing. It’s been a very nice three games, a really profitable three games for us.
HUGE win over Blackburn for Oxford United who are now only in the relegation zone in goal difference. 👏 #oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/AmaLCmGTrJ
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026
Jamie Donley’s impact on the team:
It was my first day when he injured his shoulder at Milton Keynes, so we’ve had to be patient to get him back.
We know that he’s a good player. He had a great season at Leyton Orient last year and he helps knit us together in that 10. We’re really pleased with him.
He just tired a little bit at the end, but for him to get his first goal, he just gives us that little bit of creativity. He’s a very intelligent footballer, so we’re really pleased to have him, and we hope there’s more to come in the next few games.
I think he’s been a really important factor in that amongst other important factors. He can land on the ball, he can find a pass, he can switch play, he can knit the game together.
He’s working really hard out of possession. Him and Will have got a really good understanding because of their history together.
Applause at the 15-minute mark for Amelia Aplin. 💛#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/WCCw0FllJ6
— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026
He’s been a really important cog in the wheel at the moment, and I believe there’s more to come from him in the Championship. He’s still a young player, first season at this level, and he’s still getting used to the speed of the game in terms of coming back from his injury.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
The team staying unchanged for the last three matches:
You always have to consider, but it would’ve taken a big argument to change anything after the level of performance at Preston.
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I think once we get further down the line and we’ve been working together with the players for a lot longer, it’s easier to change things and still see the same character and performance levels. At the moment, because we’re still relatively new in the building, you risk upsetting that if you change too much.
Having said that, it’s a really quick turnaround to Saturday, so the chances of changes for Saturday is probably a lot higher than what it was from Friday to Wednesday.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin
The U’s momentum:
You have to love and cherish it because it can go as quickly as it comes around. If we don’t keep our feet on the ground and stay humble with it, then the game finds a way of kicking you when you least expect it.
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Injuries ahead of Charlton:
There are a couple of knocks actually. One of the lads is carrying something that’s a big doubt for the weekend so there might be one enforced change.
But it’s so soon after the game that it’s hard to know so soon where the lads are at.
The 15-year-old died at the weekend after collapsing during on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match last Saturday.
The game between the U’s and Rovers in the Championship was paused on the 15th minute for a minute’s applause to remember the young player.
Meanwhile, flowers, scarves and messages were left draped on the bronze ox statue outside the Kassam Stadium.
Players and fans of the Lancashire side have been thanked for their respect during the match.
READ MORE: Emotional tributes for Oxford footballer Amelia Aplin
One Oxford fan said: “Thank you to the Blackburn team and supporters for their respect for our academy player Amelia Aplin who passed away at the weekend.”
Another added: “Thank you Blackburn team and supporters for your tremendous support and respect for Amelia Aplin’s family and family and teammates.
“Your team put on a performance that they put everything into it, good luck for the rest of the season. From Oxford United fan.”
Oxford boss Matt Bloomfield said: “Both sets of supporters observed the minute’s silence immaculately and thank you to them for that.
“Tonight was about dedicating the evening to Amelia, she’ll live forever in our hearts, her family will be friends of the football club forever and we had to make sure we paid the best respects for such a devastating loss for her family.”
Blackburn Rovers’ spokesman said: “Everyone at Blackburn Rovers sends our deepest condolences to Amelia’s family, friends and all at Oxford United at this incredibly sad time.
“Rest in peace, Amelia.”
The U’s face Charlton Athletic on Saturday after winning their last three matches, most recently seeing off relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers 1-0 on Wednesday evening.
Their impressive run of form has seen United reignite their hopes of remaining in the second tier, now only in the relegation zone on goal difference after drawing level on points with Leicester City in 21st.
With a quick turnaround from their midweek triumph, Oxford are looking to keep up their consistency at home to the Addicks.
“We can all see the prize that we’re working towards,” Bloomfield declared.
“We can all see the points that that grit and determination and performance level, we can see the outcomes that it has given us.
“That should be enough motivation in itself for us to go again tomorrow.”
Oxford have fielded the same starting 11 for those three victories, with individuals upping their game and goals being found from different players on the pitch.
Top goal scorer Will Lankshear has chipped in with two goals over the last three games, whilst both centre backs have bagged and midfielder Jamie Donley has scored his first for the club on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
“You need individual performances to be of a high level for the team to be cohesive and to play in the manner that you want it to,” the Yellows boss continued.
“I feel like there have been some big individual performances in the last three games and as a unit they’ve knitted together nicely and we’re going to need plenty more of those in the last nine games.
“A team that wants to win games needs to find goals all over the pitch.
“We want to be a threat both from open play and set pieces.
READ MORE: Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run
“It was a nice move that created the goal on Wednesday evening and, to be honest, we could’ve had a couple more.
“We need to make sure we have goal threats all over the pitch and it’s been pleasing recently and we have to keep that going.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
“We’ve seen a consistency to what we’ve done.
“We’re carrying a couple of knocks from Wednesday evening so we need to give them as long as we can with the quick turnaround. We need to see who’s going to be fit and who isn’t.
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“We’ll try and keep as much continuity as we possibly can.
“Nathan Jones has done a fantastic job [at Charlton] over the last two years. They’re a really strong squad, they all know their jobs, really well organised.
“They’re in a fantastic position to secure their safety.”
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