Oxford united FC
Oxford United star previews Northern Ireland play-off against Italy
Northern Ireland play their one-legged semi-final against the Azzurri on Thursday evening, with four U’s players involved in the camp.
Should they shock the footballing world and beat Italy, the Green and White Army would qualify for their first World Cup since 1986 and first major tournament since the 2016 European Championships.
“It’s obviously massive pressure going away with Northern Ireland in general because you’re playing for you country but there’s even more pressure on it in terms of, you’re playing to qualify for a World Cup,” Brown declared.
“We’d obviously be going into that game as an underdog, so I think, in that sense, it maybe takes a bit of pressure off you.”
The centre back is not the only United player in the Northern Ireland setup, with Jamie McDonnell, Jamie Donley, and Brodie Spencer all also called up for the semi-final and potential final next week.
“It’s nice,” Brown continued.
“Familiar faces round Oxford but when you go away, you’ve got your teammates from Oxford at Northern Ireland, so it’s a nice thing.
“All the boys get on so well for Northern Ireland. There will be times where obviously us four would be together, and there would be times where we’re all separated into different groups.”
The 28-year-old is playing many an important at present for both club and country.
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Whilst aiming for an historic triumph with his country, Brown is also a key part of the U’s relegation dogfight, with seven crucial games remaining after the international break.
“I always kind of separate the both of them,” the London-born defender contemplated.
“If you perform at club level then you get called up and hopefully get to represent Northern Ireland, but I try and separate the both [and think that] Oxford is kind of done for the next week and a half and now it’s Northern Ireland.
“It would be hard to be in Northern Ireland thinking about Oxford, and it’s hard to think about Northern Ireland when you’ve got a game for Oxford.”
Similarly to his experiences with the Yellows, Brown and his compatriots go into the Italy game as firm underdogs, despite the Azzurri not having qualified for a World Cup since 2014.
If Northern Ireland win on Thursday, they would face one of Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play-off final, with Brown and co. potentially facing U’s teammate and Welsh striker Mark Harris.
The 15-year-old died at the weekend after collapsing during on the pitch during a ‘Junior Premier League’ match last Saturday.
The game between the U’s and Rovers in the Championship was paused on the 15th minute for a minute’s applause to remember the young player.
Meanwhile, flowers, scarves and messages were left draped on the bronze ox statue outside the Kassam Stadium.
Players and fans of the Lancashire side have been thanked for their respect during the match.
READ MORE: Emotional tributes for Oxford footballer Amelia Aplin
One Oxford fan said: “Thank you to the Blackburn team and supporters for their respect for our academy player Amelia Aplin who passed away at the weekend.”
Another added: “Thank you Blackburn team and supporters for your tremendous support and respect for Amelia Aplin’s family and family and teammates.
“Your team put on a performance that they put everything into it, good luck for the rest of the season. From Oxford United fan.”
Oxford boss Matt Bloomfield said: “Both sets of supporters observed the minute’s silence immaculately and thank you to them for that.
“Tonight was about dedicating the evening to Amelia, she’ll live forever in our hearts, her family will be friends of the football club forever and we had to make sure we paid the best respects for such a devastating loss for her family.”
Blackburn Rovers’ spokesman said: “Everyone at Blackburn Rovers sends our deepest condolences to Amelia’s family, friends and all at Oxford United at this incredibly sad time.
“Rest in peace, Amelia.”
The U’s face Charlton Athletic on Saturday after winning their last three matches, most recently seeing off relegation rivals Blackburn Rovers 1-0 on Wednesday evening.
Their impressive run of form has seen United reignite their hopes of remaining in the second tier, now only in the relegation zone on goal difference after drawing level on points with Leicester City in 21st.
With a quick turnaround from their midweek triumph, Oxford are looking to keep up their consistency at home to the Addicks.
“We can all see the prize that we’re working towards,” Bloomfield declared.
“We can all see the points that that grit and determination and performance level, we can see the outcomes that it has given us.
“That should be enough motivation in itself for us to go again tomorrow.”
Oxford have fielded the same starting 11 for those three victories, with individuals upping their game and goals being found from different players on the pitch.
Top goal scorer Will Lankshear has chipped in with two goals over the last three games, whilst both centre backs have bagged and midfielder Jamie Donley has scored his first for the club on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.
“You need individual performances to be of a high level for the team to be cohesive and to play in the manner that you want it to,” the Yellows boss continued.
“I feel like there have been some big individual performances in the last three games and as a unit they’ve knitted together nicely and we’re going to need plenty more of those in the last nine games.
“A team that wants to win games needs to find goals all over the pitch.
“We want to be a threat both from open play and set pieces.
READ MORE: Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run
“It was a nice move that created the goal on Wednesday evening and, to be honest, we could’ve had a couple more.
“We need to make sure we have goal threats all over the pitch and it’s been pleasing recently and we have to keep that going.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
“We’ve seen a consistency to what we’ve done.
“We’re carrying a couple of knocks from Wednesday evening so we need to give them as long as we can with the quick turnaround. We need to see who’s going to be fit and who isn’t.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn
“We’ll try and keep as much continuity as we possibly can.
“Nathan Jones has done a fantastic job [at Charlton] over the last two years. They’re a really strong squad, they all know their jobs, really well organised.
“They’re in a fantastic position to secure their safety.”
The U’s centre back has been key in a side that has won its last three games, with Brown getting on the scoresheet in their 3-1 win away at Preston North End last week.
Their most recent victory saw them beat Blackburn Rovers 1-0 in an impressive home display.
“I think maybe the penny has dropped and some things are starting to click and got the ideas across that we need to do better performance-wise but also need to do better results-wise,” Brown said ahead of United’s next game against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.
“I think a lot of the season, we’ve probably been a bit too inconsistent where we haven’t put runs together, haven’t put back-to-back wins together which has ultimately put us in this position.
“Over the last month or few weeks, before we put this string of wins together, it did feel sometimes a bit unfortunate. It felt like we were just on that line of putting wins together.
“I think we’ve all come together and…it’s clicked.
“A big part of last season was the defenders chipping in with goals and maybe we haven’t done that as much this year as we would’ve liked.
“But to get clean sheets and chip in with a few goals is always nice.”
Oxford are fighting for survival in their second season in the Championship after avoiding relegation in the previous campaign.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin
A lot has changed since then, with Matt Bloomfield now in charge and plenty of new players arriving in OX4, eight in the January transfer window alone.
“I think a lot of people are going back to last year, but I do think our squad is massively different” admitted the 28-year-old.
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“Whether that’s some of the boys from previous years stepping up and helping [the new players] through that process.
“It’s a totally different season and there are different obstacles thrown at you, but I think maybe the experience of last year can hopefully play a part this year and have the same outcome.”
The Yellows face a Charlton side this weekend who have won two in a row, with a shock 1-0 win away at second-placed Middlesbrough last time out.
READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield’s full thoughts after Oxford beat Blackburn
The Addicks looked as if they would be involved the relegation scrap but have now pulled away from the pack and look likely to survive.
“I think they’ve done really well this season, especially getting promoted last season and then first season in the Championship this year; I think they’ve done unbelievably.
“Whether they’re out of it or in it, who knows? But I think they’ve put themselves in a great place to stay up.”
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