Oxford united FC
Oxford United boss makes crowd remark after Pompey draw
The U’s cancelled out Keshi Anderson’s early opener with Brodie Spencer’s first goal for the club before going ahead through Will Lankshear with nine minutes left.
Andre Dozzell then found a late equaliser to rescue a point for ten-man Pompey who were without Connor Ogilvie who saw red in the first half.
“We could have done, yes, absolutely,” the Yellows boss replied when asked if his side should have won the match.
“We’ve worked so incredibly hard to get our nose in front, to get ahead in the game against really tough opposition in such an incredible atmosphere.
“We feel terribly disappointed that we’re not walking away with all three points there.”
It was another fixture where Oxford saw points evade them, with the recent draw with Charlton Athletic also seeing them concede in the dying embers.
“The Charlton goal and today, are both second phases of [set pieces]. In those moments, you can go over them and over them, but every situation in that is different.
“It’s messy, there are players moving around and it’s about making sure you get attached to someone and in the box.
“We’ve been put in the box today, there’s one player free and the ball’s dropped to him and he’s stuck it away.
“So, we need to make sure we improve on that.”
The red card in the first half angered the home fans, creating an even more feisty atmosphere at Fratton Park, with some items even being thrown after the dismissal.
“I was discussing it with the crowd around me who wanted to give me their opinions and they were a little bit more accepting of it after half-time when they’d seen it back,” revealed Bloomfield.
“I’ve not seen it back yet so I probably should wait before I comment.
“Stan’s dribbling the ball, gets scythed down and it’s all his fault that the player got sent off,” the U’s boss remarked sarcastically.
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“So, he’s getting stuff thrown at him (by the crowd).
“Obviously you don’t want to see those kinds of situations. But considering the circumstances, I think it’s always going to be that way inclined.”
“It’s a fantastic place, an incredible atmosphere.”
Bloomfield also offered his two cents on the challenge which could have seen Spencer shown a second yellow card.
“From my opinion, I think it was a very clever play from the Portsmouth player.
“He’s felt Brodie trying to get back [and] cut across him, tried to get contact and go down, which is obviously an intelligent play.
“So I haven’t seen it back yet and I don’t know what kind of contact there was, if any.”
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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