Oxford United tipped for League One promotion despite ‘massive’ losses

Oxford currently lie 10th in the third tier in the midst of the first international break of the season, with two games in hand on a chunk of their competitors.

The U’s saw the incoming of former Arsenal and Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey as head coach in June before being hit with a temporary transfer embargo and losing highly-rated players Stanley Mills and Brian De Keersmaecker late in the window.

After winning three and drawing two of their first six League One games following Championship relegation last season, the Yellows are in a strong position early in the campaign.

Former EFL journeyman and current Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has backed Ramsey’s men despite citing ‘massive losses’ within the playing squad.

“I will always look at teams that get relegated from the Championship and think that the reality is that they should be pushing at the top end one way or another,” the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion striker disclosed.

Oxford United celebrate their second goal against Burton Albion (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“But then I had a look at who they’ve lost and it’s several key players.

“I didn’t realise they’d lost Brian De Keersmaecker, Przemyslaw Placheta, Stanley Mills, and Myles Peart-Harris.

“That is four massive key players who, if they were still at the club, you’d almost go definitely a top six team that without hesitation.

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“But there’s lots of factors that you’ve got to consider, and that’s just one of them.

“Then you’ve got Aaron Ramsey, who’s a new manager with very little past experience, only a few games in caretaker charge of Cardiff City.

“You’ve also got him implementing a completely different style to the one that they had last year in the Championship, where they had the lowest average possession in the whole of the Championship, whereas Aaron wants them to be a dominant possession-based team.

“They’re now the third highest average possession in League One.

“Only Leicester City and Stockport County have more of the ball.

Oxford United head coach Aaron Ramsey (Image: Darrell Fisher)

“And the other factor is they’ve played at least one game less than most of the league, and in some cases, I think there’s seven or eight teams that have played two more games.

“So, when you put it all together, they’ve lost one game all season away at Huddersfield Town, who are a decent team.

“They’re currently 10th, and if they win the game in hand, they shoot all the way up to third.

“I think you’ve got to have them down as a good team for the level, with good players and definitely in with a shout of getting straight back up.”

The U’s return to action on Tuesday, October 6, facing Exeter City away in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy.