Oxford united FC
Oxford United draw with Portsmouth in lively relegation clash
Dubbed a relegation six-pointer, the match saw four goals, one red card, and five yellows with nothing able to split the two clubs.
Keshi Anderson’s earlier opener preceded a controversial red card for Connor Ogilvie, Brodie Spencer then equalising early in the second half.
Will Lankshear later put the U’s ahead but Pompey responded by levelling through Andre Dozzell.
A feisty Fratton Park spurred the hosts on to a lively start, Jamie Cumming preventing a near own goal from Ciaron Brown early on.
The ninth minute welcomed the opening goal, Anderson chopping onto his left foot and swiping the ball home after Colby Bishop headed it back to him in the box.
An already manic stadium soon turned ballistic when Pompey left back Ogilvie was sent off for a tackle on Stan Mills, the home support furious with referee Josh Smith’s decision, one fan even throwing a bottle at the official.
The U’s looked shaken by the atmosphere as the hosts thrived off it, attacking with energy.
Gustavo Caballero missed a huge chance to double the lead, firing over from inside the box after a low cross fell to him.
An early second half penalty shout for Pompey was denied before the Yellows equalised three minutes in.
Mills’ powerful shot from range was parried by Nicolas Schmid into the path of Spencer who was there to score his first goal for the club.
The U’s continued well, Will Vaulks shooting over and a good run and cross from Mills failing to be met.
Spencer controversially escaped a second yellow after a foul on Terry Devlin which the home fans were incensed by.
A deflected shot over from Mills preceded the huge moment when Oxford completed their comeback.
After a corner, the ball found its way to Michal Helik who held off his man and floated a peach of a cross onto the head of Lankshear who nodded into the top right corner.
Pompey responded with energy, Jordan Williams seeing a shot headed away by Brown.
Heartache hit for the U’s in the 87th minute, Millenic Alli pulling the ball back to Dozzell who slid the ball into the bottom right corner.
Late Oxford pressure came to nothing, with the result leaving them still in the relegation zone, Pompey one point above them.
Pompey: Schmid, Devlin, Poole, Shaughnessy, Ogilvie, Pack, Dozzell, Caballero, Chaplin (Williams 21), Anderson (Alli 81), Bishop
Oxford: Cumming, Long (ter Avest 46), Helik, Brown, Spencer (Placheta 66), Konak (Vaulks 46), Brannagan, Mills, Donley, Peart-Harris (Harris 80), Lankshear
Bookings: Dozzell, Pack; Spencer, Vaulks, Helik
Red cards: Ogilvie
The Oxford Mail has suggested one player in every position for Matt Bloomfield’s side to target this summer.
Goalkeeper – academy promotion
Oxford are set when it comes to goalkeepers, with Jamie Cumming, Matt Ingram, and player-coach Simon Eastwood all at the club.
It would make more sense for a goalkeeper to be promoted from the academy, perhaps Under-21 stopper Monty Marriott who recently spent time on loan at Dorchester Town.
Right back – Jordi Osei-Tutu
Osei-Tutu would provide a more attacking alternative on the right of defence.
Recently released by League One play-off winners Bolton Wanderers, the 27-year-old is energetic and pacey and available on a free.
Centre back – Jamie Knight-Lebel
Controversial, maybe, with the defender having spent last season on loan at Swindon Town in League Two, but a move for their Young Player of the Season could be a natural next step for the Bristol City man.
A move to Oxford to learn from experienced heads Michal Helik and Ciaron Brown would be valuable, with the 21-year-old providing youth and quality in depth.
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Left back – Leon McCann
Oxford have already been linked with two Falkirk players in Barney Stewart and Liam Henderson, but look set to miss out on the former.
After a consistently good season for the sixth-placed Bairns, McCann would be a great signing of a player hitting his peak at 26 years old.
Centre midfield – Archie Collins
After turning down a new contract offer from Peterborough United, the 26-year-old is expected to secure a better move after winning the Posh’s Player of the Season award.
Signing Collins would be a statement of intent from the Yellows with the midfielder one of the division’s standouts.
Left wing – Nathan Redmond
Oxford already have names on the left, but some experience may not go amiss.
The 32-year-old spent last season at both Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers and believes he still has more to give in his career.
Attacking midfield – Conor Chaplin
Linked earlier this week, Chaplin is a free agent having left Premier League club Ipswich Town.
At 29, he is experienced and a proven goal scorer in League One having scored 26 times in 2022/23.
Right wing – Kyreece Lisbie
Lisbie has already held talks with the club and would provide youth, depth and skill on the right wing.
There is competition for his signature, but the Colchester United man seems a no-brainer.
Striker – Jayden Wareham
19 goals for relegated Exeter City is very impressive.
The 23-year-old would be an astute, proven and young addition to the U’s attack.
Leicester City are one of a few clubs already said to be interested.
The U’s are looking to strengthen after their relegation from the Championship last season, with a new striker wanted by supporters after the return of fan favourite Will Lankshear to his parent club Tottenham Hotspur.
Chaplin spent last season on loan at boyhood club Portsmouth as the club survived in the second tier, the 29-year-old scoring twice and managing one assist in 40 appearances.
Meanwhile, his parent club Ipswich secured promotion to the Premier League by finishing second in the league only behind runaway champions Coventry City.
The Englishman was key in the Tractor Boys’ League One promotion-winning season where they finished second, Chaplin scoring 26 goals that year to win the division’s Golden Boot award, joint with Peterborough United’s Jonson Clarke-Harris.
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He was also awarded Ipswich’s Player of the Season award and included in the League One Team of the Season.
Chaplin then struck 13 goals in the Championship as the Suffolk side were promoted again, before suffering relegation from the Premier League the year after.
The attacking midfielder was released by Ipswich last month following their return to the top flight and SportsBoom are reporting that Oxford have ‘expressed an interest’ in signing the free agent.
With experience in the top tiers of English football and proof of goal scoring prowess in League One, Chaplin would be a sensible addition to the U’s ranks.
Tottenham Hotspur want £20 million for 21-year-old Will Lankshear and have turned down multiple bids for him, according to Hayters.
The ex-U’s striker, who was the club’s top scorer last term with 12 goals in all competitions, is highly rated by his parent side who narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League last season finishing two points above the drop zone.
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However, they haven’t ruled out selling him if the right offer comes in with Portuguese side Sporting CP reportedly interested.
In addition Spurs is also considering another loan move for Lankshear to a Championship club, although the London team is looking to fund a summer spending spree that has already seen a £52 million bid for defender Jan Paul Van Hecke accepted by Brighton.
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Lankshear has made three Premier League appearances for Spurs as well as scoring one goal in three Europa League features.
In a breakout season in men’s football, the England youth international became a fan favourite in OX4 for his tenacity and goal scoring success in a struggling Championship team.
The 21-year-old’s attitude off the pitch also endeared the fans to his name, with the player crediting the club as the place where it all began ahead of a hopefully successful career.
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