Oxford united FC
Mystery surrounds unknown Oxford United on League One return
It was always going to be a big change in expectations after relegation from the Championship; in the last two years the hope has been to simply stay up with the U’s punching above their weight in the second tier.
A return to League One would have naturally would have seen Oxford tipped for a strong season in a weaker division, be that either competing for the automatic promotion places or the play-offs.
But this is not your average season, and it has not been your average summer.
Whilst Aaron Ramsey’s first XI is pretty universally agreed upon by fans and spectators alike and is a admittedly strong team, there is a notable lack of depth.
The transfer embargo has been damaging in that regard, with three players having left the club since it hit (and potentially one or two more) with the Yellows unable to register any new names as replacements.
Alongside that, new head coach and former Arsenal hero Ramsey’s abilities are almost completely untested at a competitive level.
There have been visible imprints of the 35-year-old’s style of play throughout pre-season and in the Carabao Cup defeat to Leyton Orient.
Oxford saw success with these methods in their summer friendlies with four wins from four but were counteracted by Orient who eventually made them pay with two late goals.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss Aaron Ramsey makes bold Siriki Dembele claim
READ MORE: Oxford United watch on as PFA submit challenge to EFL rules
“We are going to be asked questions this season; there’s no doubt about that,” Ramsey said after the game.
“It’s still early on in this process.
“So, for [the players] to experience some questions today, that’s only going to put us in a better place going forward.”
Due to the unfamiliarity that comes with Ramsey’s Oxford, pundits have tipped them to finish both in the top half and in the relegation places.
In addition, League One this season is particularly competitive.
Fellow relegated clubs Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday both look well-equipped to bounce back whilst teams like Plymouth Argyle – despite losing striker Lorent Tolaj – and Luton Town have improved and stabilised.
READ MORE: Oxford United ‘may accept’ over £2 million Stan Mills offer
Competing at the top given the U’s circumstances will be tough, yet, relegation seems a far-fetched prospect.
The U’s first XI has some real talent for the third tier, particularly if Stan Mills and Brian De Keersmaecker remain at the club.
With the transfer embargo proving a significant obstacle and the club stating that the financial issues will not be resolved until the January window, surviving to the winter in a relatively comfortable position should be the goal.
Squad depth will be an issue to tackle week by week, but if the Yellows can get to January in a place where they can attract and convince third-tier talent to join then the second half of the season will be full steam ahead.
The summer-long saga has felt more like a decade and surely head coach Aaron Ramsey has felt the same after enduring the ritual of being asked about Mills’ status on a weekly basis.
After missing the U’s first pre-season friendly, the winger scored in the second, a 2-1 win over Barnet, and featured in the following couple.
He then missed out in the first competitive game of the season, a 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient, before a move to PNE was confirmed by Ramsey ahead of the League One opening day, but not until January.
Mills messaged his boss requesting not to play in the 2-2 opening day home draw with MK Dons before coming off the bench to assist Gatlin O’Donkor in the Yellows’ 2-1 win at Stevenage.
That would prove to be the 22-year-old’s final display in a United shirt, the young attacker showing little enthusiasm upon Oxford taking the lead in Hertfordshire, hinting that his head had certainly been turned.
“I’ve known about it all summer and from the start I’ve wanted to be here, wanted to get going as a Preston player and now it is official.”
Mills’ first words as a Lilywhites player say it all.
Considering the former Everton man has never scored more than three goals in a senior season, my personal opinion was that a January move would be ideal for all parties.
In an ideal world, Oxford would keep a star player for six months, Mills could get his numbers up as a standout player in a weaker league and PNE would get an in-form winger through the doors in the new year.
READ MORE: Ramsey says Mills departure ‘best solution’ for Oxford United
READ MORE: Ex-Oxford United goalkeeper Jacob Knightbridge joins Tottenham Hotspur
But patience is a rare virtue in football these days and off goes the winger to Lancashire.
So, what now for United?
The U’s are without a recognised right-sided midfielder – young Aidan Elliott-Wheeler could be considered – and remain under a temporary transfer embargo.
Aidomo Emakhu has played on the right so far this season and has offered some outlet but he does look much more comfortable in his more natural position on the right.
Then there is 17-year-old Mo Missanga, a youngster who helped change the tide on the opening day against MK Dons and who has excited supporters and the U’s boss alike.
Ramsey has hinted that the Yellows are searching for solutions, and it is understood that a loan transfer where Oxford do not pay any share of the player’s wages could be a way of bringing a player in before Tuesday’s deadline.
Given the circumstances, it will be difficult to replace the ability of Mills but there is certainly a sense of relief that this saga is over.
Now it is time to focus on the football and maintain a strong league position heading into January.
Oxford United have signed Wales international Kai Andrews on loan from Premier League side Coventry City until January.
Source link
Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
Source link
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoTrain cancellation alert amid ‘fault’ near London Paddington
-
Oxford News2 weeks agoMuseum evacuated and Oxford University closed amid incident
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMuscle Food at risk of closing after entering administration
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoBritish Business Bank backs PhysicsX with USD $25 million
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoNuggit launches GBP £5 million fund for UK YouTubers
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoHistoric town faces series of high street shop closures
-
Student Life4 weeks agoMy year of rest and rustication
-
Student Life4 weeks agoAcademic tourism: Oxford University and its summer schools