The U’s have won three on the trot after dispatching of Blackburn Rovers in a Championship win at the Kassam as the fight for relegation sparks into life.

Tottenham Hotspur loanee Jamie Donley bagged the only goal of the game, finding the net for the first time in a yellow shirt as United find themselves in fine form.

After Yellows head coach Bloomfield dedicated Wednesday’s win to academy goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who tragically lost her life last Saturday, here is the rest of what he had to say in his post-match interview.

Thoughts on the performance:

I thought we were very good in the first half. Some of the football we played, our pressing, some of the energy we showed, was really good.

Second half, we came out and were a little bit erratic. We gave away a corner early on and I didn’t like our shape for five minutes. Then we got a foothold and probably the biggest disappointment of the night is to not have been two or three ahead and been a bit more comfortable at the end.

Yunus Konak runs with the ball for Oxford United (Image: Oxford United)

It was a bit nervy at the end, and it wasn’t very nice. I didn’t enjoy it at all, that last bit. Because, at 1-0, it only takes a moment. So, I’m disappointed we didn’t put the game to bed, but to come out with a clean sheet and three points is really pleasing.

If we’d conceded, we’d have all been really disappointed and it would’ve been unjust in my opinion. We should’ve been comfortable at the end, we should’ve been two or three ahead.

There’s plenty more for us to chase and that’s what we need to keep doing. It’s been a very nice three games, a really profitable three games for us.

HUGE win over Blackburn for Oxford United who are now only in the relegation zone in goal difference. 👏 #oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/AmaLCmGTrJ

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026

Jamie Donley’s impact on the team:

It was my first day when he injured his shoulder at Milton Keynes, so we’ve had to be patient to get him back.

We know that he’s a good player. He had a great season at Leyton Orient last year and he helps knit us together in that 10. We’re really pleased with him.

Jamie Donley celebrates scoring his first Oxford United goal against Blackburn Rovers (Image: Oxford United)

He just tired a little bit at the end, but for him to get his first goal, he just gives us that little bit of creativity. He’s a very intelligent footballer, so we’re really pleased to have him, and we hope there’s more to come in the next few games.

I think he’s been a really important factor in that amongst other important factors. He can land on the ball, he can find a pass, he can switch play, he can knit the game together.

He’s working really hard out of possession. Him and Will have got a really good understanding because of their history together.

Applause at the 15-minute mark for Amelia Aplin. 💛#oufc 🟡 pic.twitter.com/WCCw0FllJ6

— malachi (@MalachiObrey) March 11, 2026

He’s been a really important cog in the wheel at the moment, and I believe there’s more to come from him in the Championship. He’s still a young player, first season at this level, and he’s still getting used to the speed of the game in terms of coming back from his injury.

READ MORE: Matt Bloomfield dedicates Oxford United win to Amelia Aplin

The team staying unchanged for the last three matches:

You always have to consider, but it would’ve taken a big argument to change anything after the level of performance at Preston.

READ MORE: Oxford United beat Blackburn Rovers to extend winning run

I think once we get further down the line and we’ve been working together with the players for a lot longer, it’s easier to change things and still see the same character and performance levels. At the moment, because we’re still relatively new in the building, you risk upsetting that if you change too much.

Oxford United manager Matt Bloomfield gestures on the touchline (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)

Having said that, it’s a really quick turnaround to Saturday, so the chances of changes for Saturday is probably a lot higher than what it was from Friday to Wednesday.

READ MORE: Oxford United boss and captain pay tribute to Amelia Aplin

The U’s momentum:

You have to love and cherish it because it can go as quickly as it comes around. If we don’t keep our feet on the ground and stay humble with it, then the game finds a way of kicking you when you least expect it.

READ MORE: Oxford United striker snubbed Middlesbrough and Ipswich Town

Injuries ahead of Charlton:

There are a couple of knocks actually. One of the lads is carrying something that’s a big doubt for the weekend so there might be one enforced change.

But it’s so soon after the game that it’s hard to know so soon where the lads are at.

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.

Matt Bloomfield has ‘eyes on the prize’ as Oxford United fight for survival (Image: Oxford United)

“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.

Cameron Brannagan challenges Ryoya Morishita for the ball (Image: JASONPIX)

“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.

Jamie Donley (left) celebrates his first goal for Oxford United (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

“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

Charlton Athletic manager Nathan Jones reacts on the touchline during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough (Image: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

“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.

Ciaron Brown (left) celebrates his Oxford United goal against Preston North End with Will Lankshear (right) (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

“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.

Oxford United and Blackburn Rovers players pause for a minute’s applause for Amelia Aplin during the 15th minute at the Kassam Stadium (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

“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.

Oxford United’s Ciaron Brown meets the ball against Blackburn Rovers’ Taylor Gardner-Hickman (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

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.”

Jamie Donley is urged towards the Oxford United fans after his goal helped beat Blackburn Rovers (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

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.”