Aaron Ramsey ‘realistic’ after Oxford United stay perfect

The U’s maintained their perfect record in pre-season with another 3-1 win on Tuesday night, this time against Crawley Town in front of a home crowd at the Kassam.

An own goal from Charlie Barker opened the scoring after 11 minutes before former Yellows loanee Malcolm Ebiowei equalised with a free kick.

Gatlin O’Donkor restored United’s lead with his third goal in as many games before a late strike from Tyler Goodrham sealed the team’s third pre-season victory.

Oxford staved off some decent Crawley chances in the first half, Stephen Duke-McKenna looking particularly threatening for the visitors with two close efforts.

In the second period, Ramsey’s men asserted their dominance, taking the lead and almost adding a fourth or even fifth goal with further opportunities from Goodrham and a post-hitting shot from fellow substitute Mark Harris.

The Yellows are beginning to play some forward-thinking, neat football as they adjust to life under their new boss.

“This is all new to them,” the 35-year-old stated.

“Don’t forget, we’ve only introduced this sort of way of playing and these ideas to the boys four weeks ago. So, this is all fresh.

Aaron Ramsey during a press conference with Wales (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“It’s not going to be perfect. I’m fully aware of that and that was evident today in certain parts of the game.

“But what I do know is that everybody’s buying into it and then when we do produce moments of really top, top play, like the goal, then that’s only encouraging for us and we can only have that to build on and work on and do that more consistently through the game.

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“I’m really pleased with where we’re at at the moment.

“But look, we have to have our expectations as well. We are realistic.”

Former Arsenal midfielder and Oxford head coach Ramsey also touched on player uncertainty after the win, with the club under a temporary transfer embargo and aiming to keep hold of their squad during the remainder of the summer window.

Michal Helik celebrates with Leo Snowden for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

“It’s going to be us that are going to get out of this. It’s important for us now to really stick together in these times.

“Yes, there’s uncertainty around, but we can’t let that affect us. It’s all about what is in that dressing room and we need to protect that at all costs.

“I think everybody’s bought into it and I’m really encouraged by what they’ve done so far and what they’ve seen.

“This will help again to reinforce them. I’m just pleased that we got asked a few questions in the first half, but the way we responded as well shows that we can adapt.”