Oxford United boss baffled by Wrexham and Derby struggles

The U’s lost 1-0 to play-off chasing Wrexham last night thanks to Josh Windass’ goal in the first period.

The result came three days after another 1-0 defeat away at Derby County in which the Rams also scored the only goal of the game in the first 45 minutes.

After back-to-back defeats for the first time since early February, Oxford look destined for relegation with two Championship fixtures remaining.

Oxford United’s Will Lankshear and Michal Helik look dejected at the final whistle against Wrexham (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“I don’t know,” Bloomfield replied when asked why his team has struggled in the opening half of the last two matches.

“I need to give it some consideration before the weekend because it felt like both games have been a bit tentative. In possession, there were too many turnovers in the first half in both games, so we just need to find some calm.

(Image: Oxford United)

“We need to care about the situation, but we also need to be able to play the game.

“We need to find a freedom…because without that then you find you get tense and turn the ball over too many times.

“It just felt like that’s happened two games in a row so we need to give it some consideration before the weekend.

Oxford United’s Aidomo Emakhu and Wrexham’s Issa Kabore battle for the ball (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“We’ve been beat in two games, two games where there’s not a huge amount in it by two good strikes outside the box.

“The boys gave it everything, especially second half.

“There’s never a doubt they give everything that they’ve got and we’re really frustrated they weren’t able to find that breakthrough.

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Wrexham’s Josh Windass celebrates scoring against Oxford United (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“We get the ball wide to Stan Mills and Aidomo Emakhu; we’re really attacking and obviously there’s loads of nearly moments and unfortunately one didn’t fall to us to be able to stick it away.

“It’s two games in a row where we’ve thrown everything at it in the second half. We feel like we could have deserved something out of both games but unfortunately we haven’t got anything from either.

“Our supporters are going to be disappointed. I totally understand that. I’m disappointed.

Oxford United goalkeeper Jamie Cumming and Wrexham’s Sam Smith clash (Image: David Davies/PA Wire)

“We’re all feeling it right now. I think that’s entirely natural when you care about what you do so much and they care about their club so much.

“Where we are in the league is not comfortable. But it’s the reality and we have to deal with it.”

When asked whether he can keep Oxford in the second tier with two games left, Bloomfield replied: “We have to attack the game on Saturday and get the points on the board.

“Until we do that, it doesn’t matter what goes on elsewhere, we have to get our points on the board starting on Saturday.”