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.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

“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.”