Oxford united FC
Oxford United player of the season: who should win?
The U’s have had a tough season, a poor start seeing them now in the midst of a relegation with four Championship matches remaining.
Matt Bloomfield’s men are currently two points from safety but have only suffered one defeat in their last eight games with a 2-0 win over Watford last time out.
The Yellows have utilised a large squad this campaign under two managers and the Oxford Mail has taken a look at who the standout performers and who deserves the end of season accolade.
Jack Currie
In his first season as a first-choice Championship left back, Currie has proved his worth at this level with 34 appearances in all competitions.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a successful loan spell at Leyton Orient last season and has transitioned into the second tier with ease.
Currie has offered a great combination of defensive solidity and attacking balance, his left foot allowing the likes of Myles Peart-Harris ahead of him to cut inside.
He has managed one assist but tops the charts for tackles (3.3) and interceptions (1.9) per 90 in the Oxford squad.
Stan Mills
Playing 42 times for the U’s this season, there have only been three games where Mills has not featured.
The winger was not a first choice name on many occasions under previous head coach Gary Rowett, but the 24-year-old has always been positive and consistent in his displays.
Under Bloomfield, Mills has shown himself to be a consistently impressive Championship winger, direct and always a problem for his opposing number.
His three goals in the league this season have all contributed to important wins over Derby County, Southampton, and most recently West Bromwich Albion.
Will Lankshear
A huge hit with the U’s faithful, the 20-year-old has been a sterling addition, contributing 10 goals in all competitions as the club’s top scorer.
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Turning down other loan offers in January, Lankshear opted to see out the season in OX4 and without his goals Oxford could very well have seen themselves already relegated.
The Spurs loanee has cemented himself as the first choice striker over the course of the season, demonstrating a natural instinct for goal that has seen him tipped for the top of the game.
An honourable mention goes to summer signing Brian De Keersmaecker who was exemplary before his injury and operation in February and still remains top of statistic such as assists (5) and chances created (37) in the U’s squad despite being out for two months.
Sam Long has also proved his doubters wrong yet again, becoming a crucial part of the recently successful back four and demonstrated his outstanding versatility, leadership, and reliability,
Oxford United reporter Malachi Obrey’s pick: Stan Mills.
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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