Oxford united FC
Kai Andrews praises Frank Lampard and Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey
The youngster, on loan from Coventry City, has played twice since joining in August, coming off the bench against Huddersfield Town before starting the 4-0 thrashing of Leicester City last time out.
Andrews recorded two assists on his first start and did not look out of place in a strong midfield trio alongside Cameron Brannagan and Jamie McDonnell.
The 20-year-old arrived from a Coventry side managed by Frank Lampard in the Premier League and joined a U’s side coached by Ramsey; two former elite midfielders.
As a centre midfielder himself, the Sky Blues academy graduate can take a lot from his two managers.
“It is amazing,” Andrews expressed.
“You look at these other players – obviously, I used to watch them when I was younger – and there’s so much you can learn.
“I think that’s one of the biggest things I can do, is just every day try and pick their brains, try and get as much out of it, because I know how much that will help me develop as a player.”
The young Wales international has already received plenty of specific pieces of advice from the U’s boss.
“Since I came in, [Ramsey] has, especially with the game plan and stuff like that, and how I can use my qualities to affect the team and obviously help the team out.
“He’s helped me a lot.”
Andrews and his new head coach already had a relationship, with Ramsey spending time with Craig Bellamy and the Welsh national team setup.
READ MORE: Russell Martin hits out at Oxford United fans at Leicester
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That pre-existing relationship was a big factor in the signing of the midfielder.
“That was a massive factor.
“Obviously, the staff that are working there, I’ve worked with before, obviously with the Welsh connection, and so I felt like it was a real good opportunity for me to come out, to come here and just get minutes, and just progress as much as I can.”
The former Motherwell and Hibernian loanee played as a left-sided no.8 against Leicester but had license to venture forward, but has the ability to play anywhere in the midfield.
Andrews almost grabbed his first goal for the Yellows last time out, finding himself with the ball in the box straight from kick-off in the second half.
“Wherever I’m put out on the pitch, I want to give my best no matter where I’m playing, but I probably see myself more as a no.8 [or] as a no.10.
“I feel like I’ve got the energy to get up and down the pitch, but showing in the Leicester game, I was able to contribute with two assists, and so I think playing higher up the pitch is also something that I look to do.”
Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga scored the goals to secure Oxford’s first win over the Royals in 27 years.
The win sees Aaron Ramsey’s men remain third in the league, three points off top spot with a game in hand.
Here is how we rated the Yellows players at the Kassam…
Simon Eastwood – 7.5
Called back into action after Jamie Cumming’s suspension and secured his third clean sheet of the season.
A notable save to stop Jack Marriott and two others kept Reading at bay.
Peter Kioso – 6
Saw less of his lung-busting runs forward as he was tasked with shuffling into a back three on the ball.
Was a bit hit and miss in his duels and was booked.
Michal Helik – 7
Performed well whilst playing through a knock picked up at Barnsley.
Won his aerial duels and even made it all the way to the opposition by-line at one point.
Ciaron Brown – 6.5
A couple of really incisive passes and was strong in the early stages.
A brief scare when he lofted the ball onto his own crossbar.
Jack Currie – 5.5
Struggled to contain the dangerous Kyreece Lisbie at times.
Inverted his position from the left but did not offer too much going forward.
Cameron Brannagan – 9
Absolutely everything needed from the captain in a derby.
Measured aggression, dangerous from set pieces – assisting directly for O’Donkor before whipping in the corner for the second – and brilliant passing whilst covering lots of ground.
Kai Andrews – 7
Some good footwork, neat passing and clever enough fouls to not get booked yet kill Reading’s momentum.
Aidomo Emakhu – 5
His first few touches let him down which set the tone for his performance.
Completed one successful dribble but squandered a big chance to score in the first half.
Tyler Goodrham – 7
Created one big chance and pulled off some nice flicks and neat turns.
Good delivery from set pieces as well.
Siriki Dembele – 7
A slow first half but won fouls in good areas in the second with some driving runs.
Mark Harris – 6
A quiet afternoon but won the free kick which resulted in the opener.
Substitutes:
Mo Missanga (64′) – 7.5
An impressive, instinctive finish for his second professional goal.
Sam Long (67′) – 6
Gatlin O’Donkor (68′) – 8.5
Goal. Assist. Against the team he was released from as a kid.
What more could you want?
Louie Sibley (79′) – N/A
Brodie Spencer (80′) – N/A
As good an impact off the bench as you can get with the crucial first goal and an assist for the second.
Aaron Ramsey’s inspired substitutions saw Reading-born duo Gatlin O’Donkor and Mo Missanga score to put the U’s four points clear of their Thames Valley rivals.
A stalemate first half saw the Royals force saves from Simon Eastwood and Aidomo Emakhu go close before the Yellows found the quality needed to beat Leam Richardson’s side.
The win sees Oxford beat their county neighbours for the first time since 1999 and go 10 league matches unbeaten.
As Oxford grappled for control early on, it was Reading who hit out first, Kyreece Lisbie with a wicked ball across the face of goal which was not met.
Jack Marriott’s swing at goal moments later was cut out by Kai Andrews before Tyler Goodrham ran into trouble in the box after a neat turn.
Marriott tried again with a tame enough bicycle kick for Eastwood to claim.
A neat move from Jack Currie to Goodrham to Siriki Dembele saw the latter slot Emakhu into the box, but the Irishman was unable to compose himself and finish, Joel Pereira coming out to curtail the threat.
Michal Helik had a weak header saved from a free kick, the Royals retaliating later on as Eastwood parried away a Marriott attempt impressively.
Reading started the second half with vigour, hitting the post with a Padhraic O’Connor header, Eastwood stopping a flick at goal from Lisbie with the rebound.
Marriott headed wide from the resulting corner before Oxford picked up the pressure, Cameron Brannagan forcing a save from a powerful free kick on target.
Some strong penalty shouts followed from the home crowd before a scary moment from Ciaron Brown saw the centre back put the ball onto the top of his own crossbar.
Two inspired substitutes sparked Oxford into life, O’Donkor finding the bottom right corner after a clever short ball from Brannagan at a set piece.
Reading’s Jacob Brown struck the crossbar in response before the Yellows captain forced another save with a second thumping free kick.
The U’s then found their second, O’Donkor heading a deep Brannagan corner square to Missanga who swivelling and flicked the ball into the net.
Oxford now comfortable, they remained safe with the ball but with freedom to push for a third but had to settle for two, seeing out a big three points against their rivals from Berkshire.
Yellows: Eastwood, Kioso (Spencer 80), Helik (Long 67), Brown, Currie, Brannagan, Andrews, Goodrham (O’Donkor 68), Emakhu (Missanga 64), Harris (Sibley 79), Dembele
Royals: Pereira, Godwin-Malife, Dorsett, Rinomhota (Savage 84), Roberts, Marriott (Brown 70), Wing, Kyerewaa (Williams 80), O’Connor, Lisbie, Stokes (Reid 70)
Bookings: Kioso, Sibley; Stokes, O’Connor, Lisbie
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