Oxford united FC
Aaron Ramsey says Oxford United ‘showed courage’ in Huddersfield loss
Joe Taylor’s brace and Bojan Radulovic’s opener inflicted a first League One defeat f the season on Ramsey’s Yellows.
Gatlin O’Donkor clawed the U’s back onto level terms with his second goal in two games but Taylor’s quickfire double downed disappointing Oxford.
It was the first time the two sides had met in 22 years resulting in a poor showing at the Accu Stadium.
“It’s difficult to accept defeats,” Ramsey said after the game.
“That’s definitely not something that I would do or want.
“But yeah, I think for large periods in that game, we showed real courage to get the ball and to dominate large periods of that.
“So for me, there was a lot of positives in there.
“Yeah, there were moments in the game that we need to learn from but I’m not going to let that cloud my judgement on large periods of that game.”
The goals that Oxford conceded in West Yorkshire were disappointing, another set piece proving fatal in Taylor’s first as he was left free at the back post.
“Set pieces are a massive part of the game and definitely they can win or lose your game,” Ramsey continued.
“So, for us to concede is obviously disappointing.
“But I mean, in the moments in the game, once you get back into it and you can feel like the momentum is with you again, that’s the moment then when you’ve got to really double down and take the game to them.
“The way that we conceded the corner was a bit frustrating but definitely we need to do better from the set-piece.”
Winger Aidomo Emakhu was a surprise absentee from Tuesday night’s squad, Ramsey confirming that he felt something in training on Monday and will be assessed in the coming days.
In came Mo Missanga for his first senior start, the 17-year-old showing some bright sparks again after a cameo off the bench on the opening day against MK Dons.
“He’s been fearless since he’s come in.
“For him to show that again today, go out there and to do what he does best, being exciting, taking on players, was brilliant for him.
“So from my perspective, no issues at all with throwing him in in an away game against a team of this quality.
“I think you’ve seen real good glimpses of him tonight where he can show what he’s all about.
“He takes it in his stride. He’s ready. He’s excited.
“And he wants to show everybody what he’s capable of doing.”
Bojan Radulovic’s opening goal and Joe Taylor’s brace secured victory for the Terriers against Aaron Ramsey’s Yellows.
Gatlin O’Donkor had equalised for his second goal in as many games but it was a first league defeat for Ramsey’s side.
Here is how we rated the U’s in a disappointing performance…
Simon Eastwood – 7
Forced into a big early stop and kept the U’s in it in the first half with four saves.
Conceded three but did not do too much wrong himself.
Brodie Spencer – 5
Struggled against Joe Taylor on his return to his former club and did not provide anything going forward.
Sam Long – 5
A brief early scare and not a big presence at crosses, but put in some good challenges in the box.
Caught out for the goals too easily.
Ciaron Brown – 5
Survived a reckless tackle on Bojan Radulovic and not as switched on at the back positionally at times.
Jack Currie – 5
Picked up a booking and struggled to link enough with Siriki Dembele.
Jamie McDonnell – 5.5
Some good challenges in there but did not offer anything on the ball.
Cameron Brannagan – 4.5
Wayward passing at times – a theme across the whole team – and a bit too hit-and-hope.
Not his usual self and had a particularly dodgy header backwards luckily result in the Terriers firing wide.
Mo Missanga – 6.5
Tried to be positive with a couple of impressive runs forward, creating a good chance for Dembele in the second half.
Tyler Goodrham – 5
Not too involved in the first half.
Some nice ideas with his passing and an early shot blocked but not enough moments on the ball and not enough endeavour to influence things.
Siriki Dembele – 6
A couple of good take-ons and brought down in the box with nothing given.
Mark Harris – 5
Not involved in the game enough. Had one shot saved but struggled to make an impact.
Substitutes:
Gatlin O’Donkor – 7
Another game, another goal.
The young striker in the right place again and battled well.
Kai Andrews – 6
Felt a little more calm on the ball than McDonnell but not enough time and a tricky game state to show what he is really about.
Leo Snowden – 6.5
Got in some good areas and provided an assist.
Peter Kioso – 6
United conceded the two winners shortly after he was introduced – not his fault – but came on in a position where Spencer had struggled.
The 26-year-old joins on a loan deal with an option to buy on transfer deadline day.
De Keersmaecker leaves the Yellows after not making an appearance since January in a 2-1 win at Leicester City.
Having joined in the summer of 2025 from Dutch side Heracles Almelo, the centre midfielder made 28 appearances in all competitions for the U’s and scored one goal.
Prior to joining United, De Keersmaecker captained Heracles and won their Player of the Year award in the 2024/25 season.
The Belgian was a standout player for the U’s until his injury which saw him choose to have surgery on his shoulder early in the year, seeing him miss the remainder of the Championship season as Oxford were relegated.
Former head coach Matt Bloomfield said at the time: “”The club invested heavily in Brian last summer and he was a big signing for the football club, we thought he could recover and play and it’s really frustrating that he won’t.”
De Keersmaecker did not feature throughout pre-season under new head coach Aaron Ramsey and did not play in any of the Yellows’ first four competitive fixtures.
After earlier illness keeping him absent, Ramsey stated that the now-Bristol City man had ‘a lot of catching up to do’ given his extended period without game time.
Oxford said in a statement on their website: “We would like to wish Brian all the best for his time with Bristol City.”
Upon joining, Robins manager Michael Skubala said: “We are pleased to add depth to our midfield and Brian will add that as well as quality.
“He also knows where the back of the net is and we are looking forward to working with him.”
City’s sporting director, James Ellis, thanked Oxford for helping get the deal done: “Brian is a quality midfielder who has a lot of experience in Holland and last season with Oxford United in the Championship.
“He will give us more options in the centre of the pitch and help us with our squad depth and create some more versatility.
READ MORE: Oxford United suffer first League One defeat in disappointing crumble at Huddersfield
“We have been aggressive with our signings, with the vast majority done early in the window, and in our final sequence this opportunity has arisen for a player we have tracked for a long time.
“We are very grateful to Oxford, and especially Aaron Ramsey and Ed Waldron, for helping us get this one completed.”
De Keersmaecker had a goal against his new side awarded to Greg Leigh who got a touch on his in-swinging cross in the final moments.
He then scored for certain against Preston North End at the Kassam Stadium in a 2-1 Championship defeat.
Oxford United face Huddersfield Town at the Accu Stadium in their third League One game of the season.
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