Oxford United player ratings for 2025/26 Championship season

Jamie Cumming – 6

Played every minute in the Championship this season.. His distribution probably is not quite at second-tier level but a save percentage of 70.2 is respectable (13th of 27 goalkeepers in the league).

Will Lankshear – 8

Scoring 12 goals in a struggling side is commendable and he improved game by game, making the striking position his own.

Will Lankshear celebrates scoring for Oxford United against Preston (Image: Jason Dawson)

Stan Mills – 8.5

Supporters’ and players’ player of the season, Mills was spectacularly consistent in a yellow shirt. Was a constant threat under Matt Bloomfield and one of the first names on the team sheet.

Michal Helik – 6.5

The Yellows vice captain started the season strongly with a high number of defensive contributions. He lost his spot in the season earlier in the calendar year to Christ Makosso but regained it and tied it down as United went on a good run of results.

Sam Long – 7.5

The man who keeps proving people wrong. Became a crucial part of the defence yet again when some thought his time at this level might have been up.

The 31-year-old Sam Long has spent his entire 14-year senior career with the club (Image: Oxford United)

Will Vaulks – 6

In and out of the team this year, the experienced midfielder is less mobile but a stable presence in the centre of the park.

Cameron Brannagan – 7.5

The skipper remains a talisman for Oxford and has scored a few of his trademark screamers, his passing and long-range efforts key when the U’s perform well.

Mark Harris – 5.5

Careful not to go too harsh here as Harris can be a nuisance for defenders, but he is just not a goal scorer at Championship level.

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Ciaron Brown – 6.5

Has drawn some critics this year but when he plays well, United play well. A Brown and Helik partnership in League One would be very strong.

Jack Currie – 8

A strong Championship defender who offers balance and will likely generate interest this summer.

(Image: Jason Dawson)

Brodie Spencer – 6.5

Brilliant defensively but room to improve on the ball. Only 22 years old and a good asset.

Brian De Keersmaecker – 7.5

A very gifted footballer and probably the U’s best in the first half of the season. Campaign ended prematurely through decision to have surgery.

Przemyslaw Placheta – 5.5

Curtailed by injury and inconsistency but had some memorable moments with last-gasp strikes against Millwall and Ipswich Town.

Nik Prelec – 5

Just the one goal but showed signs in a season also hampered by injury.

Siriki Dembele – 3

Ineffective off the bench in the first half of the campaign and frozen out in the second.

Siriki Dembele and Tom Bradshaw celebrate against CD Leganes (Image: Mike Allen)

Ole Romeny – 4

Not at Championship level. Interesting to see how he possibly fares in the third tier with it still hard to judge his true level.

Greg Leigh – 4.5

Feels weird rating Leigh as he is still contracted but we have not seen him play for half a season.

He did not have a great first half of the campaign under Rowett (who did?) and then was a victim of a big squad and not registered for the second. Remains to be seen whether he will be used next year.

Tyler Goodrham – 6

Weird season for the academy lad who dropped out of the frame for a bit under Rowett.

Tyler Goodrham fires at goal (Image: Mike Allen)

He then popped back up and reminded everyone of his ability at attacking midfield under caretaker boss Craig Short before suffering a season-ending injury.

Will be great to see him back in action soon.

Hidde ter Avest – 5

Ravaged with injuries and never got past Sam Long and Brodie Spencer in the pecking order.

Ben Davies – 6

Solid when called upon but only really played when United operated with a back five, which they moved away from under Bloomfield. He then did not from early February onwards.

Matt Phillips – 4.5

Past Championship level at 35 years old and had his contract mutually terminated on deadline day in January.

Tom Bradshaw – 3.5

Featured a few times off the bench under Rowett but another who was not up to Championship standard. Left for Barnsley on loan in January and has since left the club.

Louie Sibley – 3.5

Made five substitute appearances under Rowett before heading out on loan to Bradford City in January where he has not played since February.

Ruben Roosken – 4

Sunderland’s Jocelin Ta Bi and Oxford United’s Ruben Roosken battle for the ball (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

An interesting case. Signed in January from Huddersfield Town with an obligation to buy, which has been triggered, he has played four times but not made the squad on 11 occasions.

Will be interesting to see how much he features next term.

*Must have made four or more appearances to be rated (Elliott Moore not included). List ordered by appearances.

*Not including summer loans who departed in January. Not including January signings (separate article to come).