Oxford United midfielder Tyler Goodrham ‘relishing’ responsibility

The U’s academy graduate returned to competitive action last week against MK Dons for the time since New Year’s Day where he picked up a season-ending injury.

Goodrham performed well in pre-season, reminding supporters how influential he can be in an attacking midfield position.

The 23-year-old was at the heart of a lot of positive attacking moves in Oxford’s friendly fixtures and picked up a goal in a 3-1 win over League Two side Crawley Town.

Speaking ahead of the League One opening game, Goodrham revealed his desire to become a source of goals and assists for Ramsey’s Yellows this season.

“I want to be the one that people look to, to go forward and create stuff, and I kind of relish the challenge to go and do that,” the U’s no.11 declared.

“But…it’s a team game.

Tyler Goodrham takes on his man for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

“You’ve got to look at how many good players we’ve got – top-end League One, good Championship players – I think everything will kind of work itself out.

“I’ve sat down with my missus, [first team coach] Chris Hackett and all the staff.

“I am not necessarily putting a number to it, but I think we all know there’s a kind of idea of what I want to go and do and achieve.

“I won’t say the numbers, but there’s an idea.

“It would be easy for me to say I want to go score 46 goals and score every game, but it’s just going out there and being the best version of myself.

“I definitely feel a lot of belief and that freedom to go and express myself and just be me really – just go out there, be happy, go play football, but also work hard in the process.”

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Goodrham is the first-choice no.10 in a Yellows squad that is slightly thin given the current temporary transfer embargo they find themselves in.

The ban has meant that the squad is largely the same one that came down from the Championship last season.

Oxford United midfielder Tyler Goodrham (Image: Oxford United)

The young attacking midfielder insists that this can be used to the U’s advantage.

“Because of the embargo and stuff, no one is coming in.

“I think that has kind of pulled us closer together and you build those closer relationships with each other.

“You’re kind of working with the same people every day; it is not someone is leaving here, someone is coming in.

“We are a very close group and everyone wants everyone to succeed.”