Oxford united FC
Oxford United defender Michal Helik laments ‘unhelpful’ transfer talk
The centre back returns to the place where he spent two-and-a-half years when Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows travel to face the Terriers on Tuesday night.
Oxford have picked up four points from their first two League One fixtures and will be looking to remain unbeaten.
Helik started the second game, a 2-1 win away at Stevenage, and looks ahead to the U’s first clash with Huddersfield since 2004.
“I’m really looking forward to going back to Huddersfield,” the 30-year-old said ahead of the third-tier match up.
“I spent a good time there. I met wonderful people.
“I can’t wait to be there and I can’t wait to get three points because that’s our aim.”
Whilst previewing the trip to the Accu Stadium, Helik was asked how the squad had been handling the transfer speculation surrounding certain players, particularly Stanley Mills who departed last week.
“It’s not really helpful, I would say,” the Polish defender continued.
Michal Helik gestures to Oxford United teammate (Image: ©Jason Dawson)
“The only thing we can do as a group is focus on the next game and the opposition and ourselves, how we want to play.
“It’s not on us to make the decisions about the squad and everything.
“We can only change things on the pitch. That’s what we’re trying to do, trying to improve every day on the training ground with the staff and the group of players we have.
“We’ve got a small squad and it’s getting smaller.
“I think the gaffer is doing the right thing, making it more competitive.
“Everyone feels like they’re going to play their part this season.
READ MORE: Oxford United sign Coventry City midfielder Kai Andrews
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
“With such a small squad, we know everyone will be needed.
“Everyone will be very important and everyone has to be ready to perform.
“I think we’ve got a good group here who is really locked in.
“Who is trying to perform? Who is doing the job as they should do? We’re ready to go.”
A victory against Martin Drury’s Terriers would be a ‘statement’ against a team who have started the season well.
Michal Helik chases the ball (Image: Mike Allen)
“I think every other game now, every next game is a good test for us because it’s a different challenge.
“If we want to achieve our goals this season, we need to perform against any opposition.
“That’s a great opportunity now against Huddersfield to put the statement of what we are on about this season.
“I hope we’re going to get three points from there.
“I think that’s a massive thing for us to answer for everything that’s going on around the pitch and around the club, to answer positively on the pitch.”
Oxford united FC
Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey on long-awaited Huddersfield clash
The Yellows travel to West Yorkshire on Tuesday night for their third League One fixture of the season.
Ramsey’s side have drawn and won each of their first couple of third-tier games so far and will face Huddersfield for the first time in a competitive match since 2004.
The Terriers have begun the campaign with the same record, looking impressive under manager Martin Drury.
Oxford beat last season’s play-off semi-finalists Stevenage last time out, two second-half strikes seeing a resolute United past their physical opponents.
“We want to be on the front foot,” Ramsey reiterated ahead of the trip to the Accu Stadium.
“We want to be controlling games and that’s the way that my staff and I feel like is the best way to do that and win football games.
“It’s difficult to just keep taking blows and blows and trying to keep the opposition.
“For me, it’s to have as much control on the game as possible.”
The last time Oxford faced off against the Terriers was in March 2004 when they were beaten 1-0 at home in the Third Division.
In their 26 total match-ups, the Yellows have won just nine whilst Huddersfield have come away victorious on 13 occasions.
Drury’s side finished ninth in the third tier last season but, after bringing in some good new signings, are set for a strong campaign in a competitive league.
“They’re a really good team,” Ramsey admitted.
“The manager has implemented his ideas across there and you can see that they’re a settled team with good ideas.
Oxford United manager Aaron Ramsey (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
“But, again, full focus is on us and on how we want to approach the game.
“We’ve had a few tests so far, which we really stood up to.
“So, it’ll be different on Tuesday, another tough test, but one that will prepare the boys as best we can.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
“When the boys are playing the way that they are and buying into it, yeah, of course, there has to be positivity around there.
“Obviously, as well, there’s moments when we do look back on things and we identify areas that we can improve on.
“We want to win football games, so we need to score goals. We want to be exciting.”
Tuesday night also sees the arrival of transfer deadline day.
11PM – approximately an hour after full time in West Yorkshire – sees the window slam shut.
Oxford remain under a temporary transfer embargo, however Ramsey has said that the club is “working to try and come up with a few things” after Stanley Mills left for Championship club Preston North End last week.
Oxford united FC
Oxford United CEO resignation after relegation and transfer embargo
Following a turbulent summer at Oxford United, which has included a change of manager and a transfer embargo, the club’s CEO has resigned.
Source link
Oxford united FC
What next for Oxford United after Stanley Mills departure
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.”
Stan Mills has joined Preston (Image: Jason Dawson)
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.
Oxford United’s Stan Mills celebrates Ciaron Brown’s goal against Preston North End (Image: Gary Oakley/PA Wire)
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 News3 weeks agoTrain cancellation alert amid ‘fault’ near London Paddington
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoMuseum evacuated and Oxford University closed amid incident
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMuscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
-
Student Life4 weeks agoMy year of rest and rustication
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoHistoric town faces series of high street shop closures
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoCurrys rolls out NiCE software to unify customer service
-
Oxford Events3 weeks agoWilderness Festival 2026: four days of music, food, art and wild escapism
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoOxford’s iconic shark in roof celebrates 40th anniversary
