The U’s conceded an 87th-minute equaliser last time out against Portsmouth minutes after Will Lankshear thought he had bagged the winner.

The 1-1 draw at Fratton Park came three games after a late penalty saw Oxford forfeit the win at home to Charlton Athletic, with strong performances unfortunately ending without the deserved points in recent fixtures.

“They’ve both come from the second phase of a set-piece,” Bloomfield said remembering the late goals conceded against Pompey and the Addicks.

Oxford United boss Matt Bloomfield shakes hands with Yunus Konak (Image: Jason Dawson)

“So, we have to make sure that we organise ourselves in the messy moments, the chaos of a second phase where you go from an organised part to a bit that’s unorganised where the next delivery is coming in.

“We have to make sure we organise ourselves quickly and take responsibility for men. We’ve spoken about that. But at the same time, you don’t want to over-egg it and get it into people’s minds.

“It’s really important that we’re prepared against that and we do the work that’s necessary to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Oxford United concede a late penalty against Charlton Athletic (Image: Jason Dawson)

“I genuinely feel like we could have a few more points on our total, but we haven’t, so we are where we are.”

The U’s face Watford on Saturday, a side who many consider to be coasting to the finish line as they sit 10th in the Championship and nine points from the play-off spots.

Video thoughts after the crazy early kick-off between #OxfordUnited and #Pompey… 💭

Chatting about the red card decisions, dropping points, conceding early, and looking ahead 👀#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/0frvioI4qB

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) April 6, 2026

Like the Yellows, the Hornets are also into the reign of their second manager of the campaign in Ed Still, brother of former Southampton boss Will Still.

“A very good technical team, athletically very gifted, real good players in forward areas who offer a real threat,” the U’s boss continued.

Oxford United celebrate the early opening goal against Watford (Image: Mike Allen)

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“We’re going to have to make sure we’re organised against that and that we know that they carry those threats.

“We have to make sure we’re prepared for the game, which we will be, and we have to try and impose ourselves. I think if you look at the Hull City game in particular, we knew it.

“Again, we were up against a really good team, but we were able to impose ourselves. I think it’s about getting the balance correct between preparing for your position, but also we want to be us and we’re proud to be us and we want to make sure that we give a show of our best selves.”

Spurs will reportedly scrap plans to send the striker back out on loan next season should they be relegated from the Premier League.

The 20-year-old is set to be given a chance to impress new boss Roberto De Zerbi, according to SportsBoom, if worst comes to worst for the North London club, with Lankshear becoming a fan favourite and standout star for the relegation-battling U’s.

Will Lankshear celebrates tapping in Oxford United’s second goal against Preston (Image: Oxford United)

Lankshear has bagged 10 goals and three assists in a season of struggle for the Yellows and has played 43 times in a breakout season for the youngster who is on loan until the end of the season.

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It was recently reported that the centre forward turned down moves to higher-placed Championship sides in January in order to see out the fight for survival in OX4, further endearing himself to the U’s faithful.

New Tottenham Hotspur boss Roberto De Zerbi (Image: Steven Paston/PA Wire)

Lankshear’s parent club Spurs are currently fighting for their lives in the Premier League, sitting 17th and one point above the bottom three.

Staff at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium are apparently convinced that the England Under-20 international has both the experience and pedigree to stake a claim for a regular first-team role.

The Lilywhites recently appointed former Brighton and Marseille boss De Zerbi on a five-year contract, replacing Igor Tudor in an effort to stave of relegation, with the Italian seemingly trusted to steady the ship if the club does go down.

The nomination is for the month of March where the U’s boss led his side to seven points from a possible 12, with two wins, one draw, and one defeat.

The Yellows picked up two big wins over Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers, 3-1 and 1-0 respectively, before managing a 1-1 draw with Charlton Athletic and losing 2-0 to the hugely in-form Southampton.

Bloomfield has been nominated alongside Saints boss Tonda Eckert, Frank Lampard of Coventry City, and West Bromwich Albion’s James Morrison.

Video thoughts after the crazy early kick-off between #OxfordUnited and #Pompey… 💭

Chatting about the red card decisions, dropping points, conceding early, and looking ahead 👀#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/0frvioI4qB

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) April 6, 2026

United’s 42-year-old boss arrived at the club in January, replacing Gary Rowett with the aim of keeping the club in the Championship.

READ MORE: Will Lankshear condemns Oxford United after Pompey draw

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Bloomfield managed two goalless draws in his first couple of games before picking up his first win as U’s boss away at Leicester City with an impressive 2-1 victory.

Since the March fixtures that saw Bloomfield nominated for the monthly accolade, Oxford have played two matches in April.

The club began the Easter weekend with a 1-1 draw at home with promotion-chasing Hull City before being held to a late 2-2 draw away at Portsmouth on Easter Monday.