Aaron Ramsey explains Brannagan and Brown Oxford United absence

The U’s could only manage a 1-1 draw at Oakwell despite playing against 10 men for the majority of the game.

Barnsley’s Jack Shepherd was sent off after nine minutes before the disadvantaged hosts took the lead through Vimal Roganathan.

Mark Harris equalised in the second half but Jamie Cumming saw red in the final two minutes for a challenge on Rylan Brownlie.

Experienced duo Brown and Brannagan were missing from the squad entirely in South Yorkshire for different reason.

Explaining their omissions, Ramsey said: “Both of them have had real high spikes in their loads over the last week.

Oxford United captain Cameron Brannagan (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“Some of the data and some of the running stats from the games were through the roof.

“They’ve hit some real big PBs in there, some spring distances.

“That was part of the decision. But Brownie as well had a bit of an illness going into the last game.

“And we know how illnesses affect little muscular injuries as well.

“They’re both so important for us and the way that we want to play.

“All of these bits of information that we have and the data and the illness and that, they have to be considered and they are red flags at times.

“So for me to make that decision was the right one and I’ll try to get them back now before the next game.”

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Tyler Goodrham carries the ball against Barnsley (Image: Oxford United)

Oxford were left downbeat after the draw at Oakwell, feeling as though it was game that they should have won.

A poor first half saw the U’s dominate possession but concede the opener before failing to put away more than one of their 35 shots on goal.

Ramsey relayed his dissatisfaction, saying: “There were bits that I liked and some bits that I didn’t quite like, but obviously very disappointed and frustrated because it was a good opportunity there for us today.

“We did create a few chances and just couldn’t quite [find] that final pass or that final decision to really punish them.

“We’re always demanding more, so we needed to do more in this game today to come away with the three points.”

Oxford United captain Cameron Brannagan (Image: Darrell Fisher)

Touching on the impact of the Tykes’ early red card, Ramsey continued: “The perception is that it should be easy from here on and it’s far from that sometimes when they are in such a low block.

“That was the bit for me today, which was a bit frustrating, was those transitional moments and how we can control them a lot better.

“Once we’ve got that extra man, we really need to make that count and really control the game in their half of the field.

“And there were a couple of moments there where they did manage the break on us.”