Oxford united FC
Premier League legend says Oxford United forward must ‘step up’
The U’s are battling relegation this season and Lankshear is currently the club’s top scorer with nine goals in all competitions.
The 20-year-old’s talent and professionalism has seen him become a standout player and a fan favourite whilst on loan at United from Tottenham Hotspur.
This has resulted in him being tipped as a game-changer by former Sunderland and Southampton striker Phillips as Matt Bloomfield’s men look ahead to a crucial run-in.
“He’s a type of player that needs to step up,” Phillips declared.
“He’s on loan from Spurs. He’s been on loan at West Brom, played a good amount of games and didn’t score. But this season, 33 appearances, [nine] goals.
“I’d like to see him – if Oxford have any opportunities to stay in the league – he’s chipping in now with seven, another seven or eight goals would give them a real opportunity.
“He’s got ability. He just needs to showcase it a little bit more consistently. But he’s a good player. You don’t play for Tottenham if you haven’t got ability.
“This is a good stage for him now to show what he’s really all about.”
Lankshear recently bagged in two games running for the second time this season after netting in wins over West Bromwich Albion and Preston North End.
The striker also won Oxford’s first penalty in 675 days against Charlton Athletic which U’s captain Cameron Brannagan subsequently scored.
READ MORE: Oxford United striker snubbed Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town
Ex-Premier League marksman Phillips also revealed his thoughts on the Yellows’ chances of survival and their fortunes under Bloomfield.
“Firstly, if they do go down, he is a good manager,” the 52-year-old said.
“He has every opportunity of bringing that club back to the Championship.
“Again, it depends on what funds could be made available, what players leave, what players come in. But he’s the right type of manager to get them out of League One.
READ MORE: Oxford United boss Bloomfield explains Ruben Roosken absence
“Can he keep Oxford in the league? It’s going to be a tough, tough ask.
“All they can do every game is go out and give everything they’ve got. The players need to step up and perform.
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“They’ll believe within the camp that they can do it. I wish them all the very best.
“[Bloomfield] had a tough time at Luton, didn’t he? A lot of people are saying they probably acted a little bit too early.
“He’s a good manager. It’s still there to play for.
“Only time will tell, but he’s a very good manager.”
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.
READ MORE: Oxford United ‘can all see the prize’ ahead of Charlton
“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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