Aaron Ramsey on ‘important’ changes in Oxford United win at Stevenage

The U’s picked up their first League One victory of the new season in Hertfordshire with a 2-1 win, Gatlin O’Donkor and Cameron Brannagan both scoring in the second half.

Former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey made three changes to the Yellows side that drew 2-2 with MK Dons on the opening day, with all three making an impact on the game.

Former fringe players Peter Kioso and Louie Sibley performed well against Boro whilst Michal Helik provided some extra physicality against a rough opposition.

“It’s just having the right players, changing the system and things like that for the opposition,” the United head coach pondered after full time.

“I’ve got a squad that are more than capable of playing and I’m really pleased.

“They all have my trust to go in and be able to play whenever is required.

“For me, what’s important is that I’m going to rotate this season.

Gatlin O’Donkor puts Oxford ahead against Stevenage (Image: Oxford United)

“I’m going to need every single one of them players.”

Brian De Keersmaecker missed out again whilst Greg Leigh was not selected for the second league game.

Stan Mills returned to the fold this weekend and started on the bench before coming on to assist O’Donkor’s opening goal.

“Everybody’s got a role to play,” Ramsey continued.

“Every match we’ll probably see different rotations and things like that, but everybody’s just as important as each other.

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“So, for us, it might look different next week, we’ll see.

“It’s not an emotional decision on players being dropped and things like that.

“It’s about what’s best for the next game and what questions can we ask of the opposition.”

Oxford beat a Stevenage side who had only lost twice at home throughout the whole of last season, a statement in their first away match of the season.

Although it was not the prettiest of victories, there are plenty of reasons to be satisfied with United’s display, showing they can overcome teams that like to prevent Ramsey’s men from playing the way they want to.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Oxford United)

“We know how difficult a place this is to come.

“They only conceded [14] goals [at home] last season. So, yes, it’s a really tough place, but a test that we stood up to.

“Particularly in the first half, we knew that we were going to have to be on it from an out-of-possession point of view today and thought we were brilliant.

“We defended the box superbly, our distances were brilliant and that gave us the platform then to take the game to them second half and I felt like we were in control of the game.

“We really had some opportunities then to go and score.”