Oxford united FC
Oxford United boss wary of Blackburn Northern Ireland link
The two clubs face off tomorrow in an important game around the Championship relegation zone as the 23rd-placed U’s take on 20th-placed Blackburn with just four points splitting them.
Rovers boss O’Neill is also manager of the Northern Ireland national team of who Oxford have four current Green and White Army players in their ranks.
“It’s a fairly unique situation I would suggest,” Bloomfield pondered in his pre-match press conference.
“It’s not very often a manager has a club and an international job and comes up against a team with so many players from the nation.
“Michael will have a big know-how about a lot of our players and I’m sure he’ll be using that to the best advantage that he can.
“We’re going to have a tough game.
“Michael’s an extremely experienced manager who sets his team up.
“They look really well-organised, really diligent in their defensive shape.
“It’s not going to be easy for us to break them down at all.”
The Northern Irish contingent in OX4 consists of Ciaron Brown, Brodie Spencer, Jamie McDonnell, and Jamie Donley, with all but McDonnell having played for the senior national team under O’Neill.
The Rovers manager has overseen five game so far after taking charge in February, winning his first two and losing the following two before drawing 1-1 with fellow relegation-threatened side Portsmouth last time out.
Meanwhile, the Yellows have won their last two games with a victory over West Bromwich Albion preceding Friday’s impressive 3-1 win away at Preston North End.
The club and city now has a restored sense of belief going into the last couple of months of the season.
“If you hear what was going on in the changing room after the game on Friday, with our supporters around, speaking to people around Oxford and bumping into people, it’s been lovely to do,” U’s boss Bloomfield continued.
“And I feel like there’s a confidence and a belief coming back to our football club which is what we’ve been searching for.
“There’s been an increase in performance level. We’ve looked like we’ve had a good consistency about us.
“I think there’s been a repetition about our in-possession and out-of-possession shapes and what we’re going after and that’s starting to come through.
“I really want to give our supporters something to cheer about tomorrow night but it’s going to be a tough game against really stern opposition, so we have to make sure that we perform properly.”
Amelia assed away after a serious medical incident over the weekend with her death being confirmed on Sunday, March 8.
The teenager collapsed during an Oxford United Women’s academy game in which they played Fulham.
READ MORE: Oxford United to hold minute’s silence against Blackburn Rovers
The incident occurred at the club’s training centre, Oxford Sports Park.
Numerous tributes have been left for the popular teen, which includes one from Wycombe Swimming, where Amelia was a regular member.
In a statement, the club said: “We are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of a long-time Wycombe member and beloved friend, Amelia Aplin (15), who collapsed during a football match on Saturday, where she played for Oxford United FC Academy.
“This is an unimaginable loss, and Amelia will be truly missed.
“Amelia represented the club in numerous competitions, including County championships, Regional championships and Arena League events, including the National Cup Final.
“Our deepest condolences and thoughts go out to her family and friends at this difficult time.”
A spokesperson for Oxford United said: “It is with immense sadness that we announce the passing of 15-year-old Academy player, Amelia Aplin.
“Amelia collapsed during a Girls’ Academy game against Fulham at the club’s Training Centre in Horspath yesterday afternoon.
“The thoughts and sincere condolences from everyone at Oxford United are with Amelia’s family, friends, teammates and coaches.
“We would like to place on record our appreciation for the efforts of the medical staff at both Oxford United and Fulham Football Club, along with the emergency services.
“The club will offer support to Amelia’s family, players, coaches and staff impacted by this tragic event.
“We would ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
Wycombe Wanderers Women, the Thames Valley rivals and neighbours of Oxford, also released a touching message of support.
They said: “Everyone at Wycombe Wanderers sends their condolences to Amelia’s family, friends and teammates.
“Our thoughts are with all at Oxford United.”
The Yellows have won their last two matches against West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End, respectively, scoring from four set pieces in their five goals across the duo of Championship games.
Skipper Brannagan recorded an assist for the U’s opener after just five minutes at Deepdale, finding scorer Michal Helik from a free kick.
United take on Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night in an important clash in the fight for survival.
“We scored a lot of set pieces last season and it’s something that we looked at, and I felt we could’ve been a bit better at this season,” the 29-year-old admitted.
“Over the past couple of games, we’ve started putting good deliveries in and people are attacking in the right areas and we are scoring goals.
“It’s clearly a threat of ours and we want to keep that as much as possible. Hopefully another one will come [against Blackburn].”
Brannagan has played in a midfield duo for much of this season, his partner often changing.
Brian De Keersmaecker, Will Vaulks, Jamie McDonnell, and, most recently, Yunus Konak have all played alongside him, with 20-year-old Konak taking his opportunities in recent games whilst on loan from Brentford.
READ MORE: Bloomfield offers ‘clinical’ U’s verdict after Preston win
“He’s had to bide his time,” Brannagan continued.
“He’s worked hard every single day in training, and he’s never thrown his arms up and given up just because he wasn’t playing.
“He’s got a great attitude, he’s a great kid and he’s really gelled into the group, and I thought he’s played very well when he’s played. Hats off to him, it’s enjoyable playing with him.”
The U’s captain has the experience of battling relegation from last season in the Championship, as well as in League One on occasion since he arrived in OX4 in 2018.
READ MORE: Stan Mills reacts to ‘massive’ Oxford win over Preston
“There have been a few times when I’ve been at this club, and we’ve been fighting relegation and it’s never a nice position to be in,” he added.
“But you have to find a way to win, and I feel like we have done that in the past two games.
“We do believe we can stay in the league and we’re more than good enough to stay in the league.
READ MORE: Oxford United to hold minute’s silence against Blackburn Rovers
“I’ve been here for a long time and it’s something that we’ve believed in for a long time.
“It’s not been great for most of the season if we’re being honest with ourselves, but we’ve got 10 games and we believe that we can stay in this division.
“You can feel it in the group. There’s a lot of confidence.
“It’s another big game [against Blackburn], a different challenge, and something we’re really looking forward to.”
The 15-year-old passed away at the weekend after collapsing during on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match on Saturday.
Tributes have been paid at Oxford’s training ground over the past couple of days with a minute’s silence to be observed before kick-off against Blackburn Rovers this evening.
Speaking ahead of the Championship fixture, Bloomfield said: “It is devastatingly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Amelia’s family.
“Her teammates were here yesterday and her parents, I met them very briefly. We are all heartbroken for Amelia’s family.
“As a dad, my heart is broken for her parents. It’s been very sombre here as you can understand and we have to make sure that we give Amelia’s friends and family all the love that they need going through this such terrible time.
“It puts everything into perspective. It’s been a tough few days.
READ MORE: Oxford United to hold minute’s silence against Blackburn Rovers
“Amelia’s teammates are going to join us for the game tomorrow evening.
“The club have offered all the support they can to her teammates and the family and that will be ongoing.
“We want them to be friends of our club forever and Amelia will live in our hearts forever and it’s really important that we do everything that we possibly can to support them, not just now, but ongoing.”
Oxford’s club captain Cameron Brannagan also paid his respects ahead of the Blackburn match, saying: “We want to send our condolences to the family and friends. We’re sending them all the love in the world and [it has been] a very tough 48 hours. We’ll do everything we can as a club to help them in any sort of way possible.
“She was very highly thought of in the club.
“We had a minute’s silence…and all the fans will pay their respects [on Wednesday].
“We’ve got a massive game [on Wednesday], but it does put everything into perspective.”
A book of condolence has been opened for the young footballer where members of the public can pay their respects.
Amelia was a member of High Wycombe Swimming Club, saying it is ‘devastated’ after the teenager’s death.
Other tributes from across football have been pouring in.
Fulham FC Women said: “Everyone at Fulham Football Club is shocked and saddened to hear this news. Our thoughts are with Amelia’s family and friends, and all associated with Oxford United.”
A statement from nearby Didcot Town said: “The thoughts of everyone at Didcot Town are with the family and friends of Amelia and Oxford United.”
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