Oxford united FC
Aaron Ramsey says Oxford United ‘showed courage’ in Huddersfield loss
Joe Taylor’s brace and Bojan Radulovic’s opener inflicted a first League One defeat f the season on Ramsey’s Yellows.
Gatlin O’Donkor clawed the U’s back onto level terms with his second goal in two games but Taylor’s quickfire double downed disappointing Oxford.
It was the first time the two sides had met in 22 years resulting in a poor showing at the Accu Stadium.
“It’s difficult to accept defeats,” Ramsey said after the game.
“That’s definitely not something that I would do or want.
“But yeah, I think for large periods in that game, we showed real courage to get the ball and to dominate large periods of that.
“So for me, there was a lot of positives in there.
“Yeah, there were moments in the game that we need to learn from but I’m not going to let that cloud my judgement on large periods of that game.”
The goals that Oxford conceded in West Yorkshire were disappointing, another set piece proving fatal in Taylor’s first as he was left free at the back post.
“Set pieces are a massive part of the game and definitely they can win or lose your game,” Ramsey continued.
“So, for us to concede is obviously disappointing.
“But I mean, in the moments in the game, once you get back into it and you can feel like the momentum is with you again, that’s the moment then when you’ve got to really double down and take the game to them.
“The way that we conceded the corner was a bit frustrating but definitely we need to do better from the set-piece.”
Winger Aidomo Emakhu was a surprise absentee from Tuesday night’s squad, Ramsey confirming that he felt something in training on Monday and will be assessed in the coming days.
In came Mo Missanga for his first senior start, the 17-year-old showing some bright sparks again after a cameo off the bench on the opening day against MK Dons.
“He’s been fearless since he’s come in.
“For him to show that again today, go out there and to do what he does best, being exciting, taking on players, was brilliant for him.
“So from my perspective, no issues at all with throwing him in in an away game against a team of this quality.
“I think you’ve seen real good glimpses of him tonight where he can show what he’s all about.
“He takes it in his stride. He’s ready. He’s excited.
“And he wants to show everybody what he’s capable of doing.”
Harris has scored four goals in the U’s first eight games with Aaron Ramsey’s team sitting eighth in the division.
The Wales international’s last goal came in Oxford’s 2-1 win at Notts County nine days ago, opening the scoring after a mistake from the goal keeper.
Having started all of the Yellows’ league matches so far this season, Harris is firmly Ramsey’s first-choice striker despite the impressive form of young centre forward Gatlin O’Donkor who has three goal from eight substitute appearances.
After two years in the Championship with United, the 27-year-old has opened up on his targets for the season ahead of the welcoming of Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night.
When asked what his goal target was this campaign, Harris replied: “To beat the promotion season.
“Four [goals] in eight [games]; not bad.
“One every other game, I would take. I should get my target by that.”
When Oxford won promotion to the Championship in 2023/24, the former Cardiff City and Wrexham man bagged 15 goals in the league – 19 in all competitions – which he is trying to beat this year.
The goals became harder to obtain during the two second-tier seasons, with the Swansea-born man scoring nine over the couple of campaigns.
When asked if League One lacked the same intensity as England’s second tier, Harris replied: “If less, only slightly, I would say.
“Different games bring different needs, let’s say, it’s still an intense league. You’ve got to fight for every ball, you’ve got to win every ball.
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“It’s no walk in the park compared to the Championship, put it that way.”
Under his former Wales teammate Ramsey, Harris is enjoying his football and role as centre forward.
“Since he’s come in, it’s not just the defenders and the midfielders that defend, it’s every single one of us,” the striker continued.
“We lose the ball, we react and we get it back. If we don’t get it back, we all get back in.
“Even me, if I’m the highest person on the pitch, I’ve got to get back behind the ball. That’s what I try to do.
“But yeah, our main principles, however you want to put it, is if we lose that ball, we get it back. And if not, we’re all getting into shape, compact. Hard to break down.
“[Ramsey] doesn’t want to just be a nice team that can just pass because you need the defensive side and you need the reactions and your compactness.
“You need it all together to be a good side and he’s brought that in. Everyone’s bought into it.
“Everyone loves playing the way we’re playing at the minute. It’s been great so far.”
The U’s have been handed a home draw with the Boro in their first FA Cup fixture of the season.
Oxford have not played in this round of the competition since 2023 when they were last in League One.
Aaron Ramsey’s side have faced Stevenage once already this season, winning 2-1 at the Broadhall Way in their second game of the league season.
The Yellows lie eighth in the table at the time of the draw and are set to face Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night at the Kassam Stadium.
Alex Revell’s Stevenage sit 12th in the table after a middling start to the season.
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Last season, Oxford reached the fourth round of the historic cup competition, beating MK Dons away on penalties when entering in the third round before losing 1-0 to Premier League side Sunderland at home in the fifth round.
The match will be Ramsey’s first in the competition as manager after winning the tournament three FA Cup titles with Arsenal as a player.
Oxford’s best run in the competition came in the 1963/64 season when they reached the quarter-finals, becoming the first ever Fourth Division club to do so.
Meanwhile, Oxford City are set to face former Premier League and FA Cup champions Leicester City at the MGroup Stadium.
Oxford United supporters travelling to the stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, October 20, are being told to allow extra time for their journeys due to ongoing works.
There are no changes to the usual travel arrangements, and no road closures are in place.
However, diversions will remain in place after the match on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road to help manage traffic flow.
Roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road at the roundabout with Grenoble Road are causing significant delays.
Fans are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and allow extra time for their journey.
Away supporters are also advised to consider alternative routes to the stadium.
The club said: “Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from the stadium.”
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