Oxford united FC
Brentford loan ace becoming key figure for Oxford United
After joining on loan from Brentford in January, Konak was thrown straight into the team for Matt Bloomfield’s first game in charge against Bristol City but lasted only 45 minutes before being withdrawn at the break.
“We knew that it was going to take a little bit of time for him to adapt from being at Brentford and being in and around the Premier League squad, but not playing loads and loads of football in the first half of the season,” the Yellows boss pondered after Konak’s standout shift against Watford last weekend.
“And it took maybe a little bit longer than I thought.
“I was hoping to get him straight in the team.”
The Turkish youth international dropped to the bench after his debut, not seeing action until coming on at half-time three games later in a 2-0 defeat to Birmingham City.
Two substitute cameos came in the next five matches, with Konak not making the squad for the away trip to Middlesbrough in February.
But, not only for the 20-year-old but for the whole club, the 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion was a big turning point.
Back into the team for his first start since his January debut, Konak contributed to the win that kicked off a three-game winning run and a streak of just one defeat in eight games that United carry into their next fixture against Derby County.
Since then, the young midfielder has held down his spot in a U’s side which has found consistency in both personnel and performances, keeping the experience of Will Vaulks and the tough-tackling, high potential of Northern Ireland international Jamie McDonnell out of the team.
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Oxford secured an important 2-0 win last time out against the Hornets in which Konak received widespread adulation and the Player of the Match award in the stadium.
The Bees loanee, who hails from a city called Batman in Turkiye, demonstrated his growth since taking the step into men’s first-team football with the U’s, looking visibly more confident, stronger, and popping up all over the pitch to disrupt play.
“He trains really hard. He’s one of the first out every day to train properly,” Bloomfield continued.
“Since he’s come back into the team, he’s grabbed his opportunity and today was probably his best performance to date. We hope that he can keep putting in those type of performances in the next four games for us.
“I think Yunus is going to be a really big player in the future at some point and we’re really fortunate to have him with us for the period that we do.”
The U’s travel to Pride Park on Saturday to take on Derby who are trying to force their way into the Championship play-off spots with just four games to go.
Oxford are fighting relegation and are two points from safety, behind 21st-placed West Brom who have this week been accused of breaching EFL profit and sustainability rules.
A points deduction for the Baggies would massively aid the Yellows in their efforts to stay in the second tier.
“It’s not in my control,” reasoned Bloomfield when asked about the ramifications of a potential deduction on United.
“It’s for other people to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. We need to put points on the board and that’s the only thing I’m focussing on.”
Oxford face the Rams tomorrow lunchtime in one of three Championship early kick-offs.
Whilst the U’s are again in the midst of a relegation battle this campaign, John Eustace’s men are pushing for a top-six finish after also surviving in the league last season.
“[They are a] very good team,” Bloomfield considered.
“I think John’s done a great job. [They were in] a similar position to us now, this time last year, and stayed up.
“He did a great job to keep them in the league. They’ve gone and recruited over the last summer some real Championship know-how and experience. They’ve got Championship know-how throughout their team.
“They’ve had a very, very good season to kick on from where they were this time last year and knocking on the door for the play-offs. So, we know we’re in for a very tough test tomorrow afternoon.
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“There are so many teams with so much to play for with four games left. Derby still believe they can get in the play-offs.
“They know how big the game is for them. We know how big the game is for us. There’s lots riding on it for both teams.
“We’re trying to win games and if you can’t win, then don’t get beat.
“The old football mantra, we want to put points on the board, we need to put points on the board and we’re doing that in the best possible way we can.
“There was a lot of talk when I came in the building about a lack of consistency. We couldn’t put two performances together as a team over the course of the season up until January and we’ve been consistently putting building blocks in place and we feel like we can keep building on that.”
The Rams are looking to secure a play-off spot in the Championship this season and are currently eighth, five points away from sixth-placed Hull City after losing to Southampton last time out.
Oxford travel to Pride Park looking for crucial points which would boost their hopes of survival with just four games of the season remaining having beaten Watford last weekend.
Currently 22nd and two points from safety, the U’s need to avoid defeat in the East Midlands against Eustace’s Derby who are feeling the pressure.
“There’s some pressure,” the 46-year-old told Rams TV.
“We always take each game as it comes. We prepare properly for every game that we play in the Championship – and this won’t be any different.
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“We’ve got obviously our aims where we want to get to – and Saturday’s game is the biggest game of the season. It’s a game that we’re looking forward to.
“It’s a difficult Championship game, and we will have to bring a fight and desire to it.”
The Rams’ form has fluctuated in recent weeks as they have faced teams at both the top and bottom of the table.
Eustace also confirmed that EFL Championship Young Player of the Season nominee Bobby Clark will miss the U’s clash with an injury that is set to see him miss the rest of the regular season.
The U’s travel to Derby County on Saturday as they look to secure second-tier survival in the remaining four games of the campaign.
Polish winger Placheta has been plagued with setbacks in the second half of the season, restricting him to just seven league appearances in 2026.
The consistency of Stan Mills and Myles Peart-Harris has meant that the 28-year-old has been unable to break back into the team when back from injury, his last match coming in a 24-minute cameo away at Portsmouth two games ago.
Placheta has three goals and one assist in 27 total appearances this season with his contract set to expire this summer.
The injury means U’s fans have potentially seen the winger play his last game in yellow and blue.
“We’ve lost Shemmy,” Yellows head coach Bloomfield confirmed.
“He just felt his hamstring in the warm-up on Wednesday. I doubt we’ll see him again this season, which is a shame.”
Striker Nik Prelec missed out on the match day squad last time out against Watford and remains injured.
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“Still no Nik Prelec,” Bloomfield continued.
“That’s his ankle. He trained again on Tuesday, but again, didn’t feel quite right. He’s dropped out again.”
Elsewhere, Aidomo Emakhu and Jack Currie are both expected to be available, with the latter opting to wait until the summer to have an operation on his ankle.
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