Oxford united FC
Oxford United star Stan Mills to sign for Preston in January
Mills has been the subject of interest from second-tier clubs throughout the summer transfer window, with Paul Heckingbottom’s Preston the most keen on his services.
The U’s insisted that the club will not let anyone leave this summer with the club currently in a temporary transfer embargo and unable to replace any outgoing players.
Former Arsenal midfielder Ramsey confirmed that the club has reached an agreement with the Lilywhites for the transfer of Mills in the new year.
“[Mills] has agreed a deal to go to Preston in January,” the Yellows boss announced in his pre-match press conference ahead of the League One opening match against MK Dons.
“It’s far from ideal, I can totally understand that, being one day before the beginning of the season.
“But what it does mean is that we get Stan now for the next four or five months.
“And then when January comes around, we’ll be in a completely different position where we can be really aggressive in the market.
“But for me now, having worked with Stan over the last six weeks, he’s shown me the professionalism that he has.
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“He’ll be wanting to put in performances for the fans, but also for 20 of his mates in that locker room as well.
“Stan will be here on September 1.
“I think that this is a situation that can work and that he can be fully committed to.
“And then, like I said, January come around, we’re in a completely different position than where we can look to really strengthen.”
Another name that has drawn interest is Brian De Keersmaecker who has not featured for Oxford in pre-season or in last week’s Carabao Cup defeat at Leyton Orient.
His situation is slightly different in that he has a release clause in his contract.
Ramsey went on to reiterate the club’s stance on players currently contracted to the club.
“I think the owner’s statement has been pretty clear that we’re retaining this squad.
“We’re going to need every single one of them, obviously with the situation that we’re in and we can’t bring anybody in.
“I’m going to need everybody available for that.”
The U’s have been handed a home draw with the Boro in their first FA Cup fixture of the season.
Oxford have not played in this round of the competition since 2023 when they were last in League One.
Aaron Ramsey’s side have faced Stevenage once already this season, winning 2-1 at the Broadhall Way in their second game of the league season.
The Yellows lie eighth in the table at the time of the draw and are set to face Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night at the Kassam Stadium.
Alex Revell’s Stevenage sit 12th in the table after a middling start to the season.
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Last season, Oxford reached the fourth round of the historic cup competition, beating MK Dons away on penalties when entering in the third round before losing 1-0 to Premier League side Sunderland at home in the fifth round.
The match will be Ramsey’s first in the competition as manager after winning the tournament three FA Cup titles with Arsenal as a player.
Oxford’s best run in the competition came in the 1963/64 season when they reached the quarter-finals, becoming the first ever Fourth Division club to do so.
Meanwhile, Oxford City are set to face former Premier League and FA Cup champions Leicester City at the MGroup Stadium.
Oxford United supporters travelling to the stadium for the match against Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, October 20, are being told to allow extra time for their journeys due to ongoing works.
There are no changes to the usual travel arrangements, and no road closures are in place.
However, diversions will remain in place after the match on the roundabouts at Grenoble Road to help manage traffic flow.
Roadworks and temporary traffic lights on Watlington Road at the roundabout with Grenoble Road are causing significant delays.
Fans are encouraged to avoid the area if possible and allow extra time for their journey.
Away supporters are also advised to consider alternative routes to the stadium.
The club said: “Please plan your journey in advance and allow extra time when travelling to and from the stadium.”
The U’s drew 1-1 with Mansfield Town last Thursday in a chaotic game which saw two Oxford players sent off.
Luka Lynch’s wonder goal from the edge of the box put the Yellows ahead before Peter Kioso was dismissed for an alleged dive in the second half resulting in a second yellow card.
Mansfield then equalised before Gatlin O’Donkor was sent off for a second yellow.
Oxford face strugglers Wigan Athletic, who sit bottom of the table, on Tuesday night as they look to extend their League One unbeaten run to six matches.
In his preview of the midweek fixture, Ramsey confirmed that Aidomo Emakhu is ready to play after his two-month long absence: “He’s available.
“Obviously we’ve got a decision to make now.
“But for me, I know we’ve got a real competitive squad. No problems with whoever comes in at all.”
Emakhu’s return coincides with the suspension of fellow forward O’Donkor and comes at a good time for Oxford.
The chaos that ensued last week at the One Call Stadium was frustrating, with the U’s head coach disagreeing with the first red card decision.
Amongst all the controversy, Ramsey remained calm on the touchline, with his side going on to see out a draw with a resolute, nine-man defensive performance in the final stages.
When asked about his demeanour during games, the 35-year-old said: “My stance doesn’t change.
“I was obviously very frustrated. That decision ultimately cost us the game really.
“The decision has been made. What are you going to do? Just rile yourself up for no particular reason?
“I want my team to still be in control of the situation, even though there’s a lot of chaos going on around. Because there’s still a job to be done at the end of the day.
“There are a lot of distractions on the pitch and frustrations and things like that. For me, you have to remain calm in those situations.
“Otherwise, things just spiral out of control.
“Of course, we’re all frustrated, for sure. But you have to still do a job in those moments and try and have that blue head in those really heated periods in games.
“For me, there will be a moment as well where something has to be done and there will be some different reactions. But in general, I want us to be in control of what we do.
“Some moments in the game that are required where you need your full concentration.
“What good is that if you’re still complaining about things?”
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