Oxford united FC
Oxford United ‘earned right to play’ in first Aaron Ramsey win
It definitely wasn’t always pretty – for large periods of the game on Saturday, it was rather ugly – but it was a first win of the season for Oxford United and a first competitive victory in management for Aaron Ramsey.
As expected, Stevenage – a side that only lost twice at home last season and finished the campaign in sixth – set up for a battle.
Despite flashes of threat, particularly in the first half, it was clear a large part of their gameplan was to disrupt the control and rhythm Oxford wanted to create.
United needed to adapt.
Ramsey and most of the players have spoken since his arrival about the shift towards a more possession-heavy approach. It sounds great, but as we saw on Saturday, the style needs and does have flexibility.
Although the first half was bitty, frustrating and at times a challenging watch, Oxford matched Stevenage for fight, aggression in duels and intensity out of possession.
I’m sure, by Ramsey’s own admission, he would have hoped for slightly more threat when Oxford did reclaim possession in the opening 45 minutes, but that was for later.
Oxford earned the right to play.
Once they knew they could match the opposition physically and the game began to open up, we saw the style Ramsey wants to implement develop in front of our very eyes.
In the early exchanges, Oxford struggled to progress the ball into wide areas and allow the likes of Siriki Dembele and Aidomo Emakhu to pose a threat in the final third.
In the second half, though, Oxford’s second goal was a perfect example of an important difference.
Emakhu received the ball in an advanced area before threading a defence-splitting pass into Gatlin O’Donkor who was brought down by the goalkeeper.
That opportunity simply wouldn’t have existed in the first half – and perhaps not in the second either had Oxford failed to counteract Boro’s gameplan and gone a goal behind.
And a word on O’Donkor.
In some ways, I’ve felt sorry for him; it seems that whenever Oxford are thrown into a crisis, the youngster is called upon.
But I loved the fact that, despite our issues, he is being given the opportunity to show his development after some promising loan spells and is now making an impact at the club he joined at such a young age.
His ability to use his frame to hold up the ball was on full display. His power to drive at defenders was a threat, as was his speed and intelligence to time his run, reach the pass and draw a foul from the goalkeeper.
And, of course, there was the brilliant headed finish too.
This Oxford United under Ramsey is certainly not the finished article.
But as hard-fought away performances go, I think we can all agree there was a lot to like.
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.
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Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey has insisted that Stanley Mills’ departure for Preston North End was ‘the best decision’.
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