Oxford pre match chat.

[Cjay]

All change again last week as the Championship delivered more twists and turns.

Ham faced Wilder was feeling all cocky and smug as Sheffield United sat top of the table, Burnley behind them and us out in the cold.

But back to back wins for us against Middlesbrough and Preston and back to back defeats for Sheffield United saw a change of position and a 5 point gap with only 4 games remaining.

We are the late kickoff on Friday and a few scenarios could present themselves.

We could practically secure promotion if Sheffield United lose for one.

However as last week shows thing can still change so we mustn't count our chickens.

On Friday we have a visit to 17th placed Oxford United.

Not a fixture that should evoke fear and trepidation especially given in the reverse fixture we ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.

However things are if you dig deeper a bit different now.

We played Oxford when Gary Rowett was technically in charge, but he had been in place literally a day and had basically 0 input.

Since then Oxford are 7th in the Championship form table.

They have taken 19 points from 9 home games which is 2.1ppg and that is over this season the 4th best Championship home record, only bettered by the top 3.

They may place 17th, but since Rowett took over they've been more like a playoff chasing team with an almost automatic promotion home record.

Furthermore they recently beat Sheffield United who do actually have the 2nd best away record in the league.

So they are a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing team, on paper not much to fear but dig deeper it's not necessarily as simple as it seems.

Additionally Daniel Farke has struggled with Gary Rowett teams in the past. Technically his only win vs Rowett was the one we had where really Rowett was barely in the door. Apart from that it's 2 defeats and 3 draws.

With all that being said though it's only 11 points from the last 12 games which is the worst record in the league with goal difference taken into consideration.

So whilst all may not be quite as it seems they aren't in good form.

Tactically it's standard stuff, 4-2-3-1, low block, hit on the break with direct fast football.

Not a possession team and not one worried about pretty football, more than happy to go long and pump crosses into the box.

Keep it compact in the middle and force teams down the flanks, standard stuff.

In terms of key players.

Left back Gregory Leigh has been a surprise source of goals this season with 5 and a very combative player in terms of duels and tackles, a tenacious customer down that left.

Playmaker Cameron Brannagan is a Oxford hero, become known for his creativity and goals from midfield in his 8 seasons at the club and his 2 goals and 4 assists show he is still a threat.

And finally goalkeeper Jamie Cumming has performed miracles at times this season for Oxford. He makes the 3rd most saves per game in the league and has the 3rd highest goals prevented in the league (goals Oxford should have conceded except he made a great save)

So an on paper potential banana skin team and of course as we know anything can happen at this stage.

However one that despite all the positives aren't in good form at the moment who have lost 7 of the last 12.

Depending on results elsewhere a point may be a decent one, or if results go against us we will really need the win ideally.

So selection.

We can assume people like James and Rothwell are still out.

Could we see Wober in perhaps and allow Ampadu to move into midfield?

Given its an away fixture and DF clearly has a naturally more cautious side in them could Byram come in for Firpo?

Did Gnonto do enough to keep his place or will the surprise Schmidt re-emergence lead to a start?

Or perhaps even a sighting if Ramazani?

Aaronson is guaranteed to start so no point speculating on that.

And how about struggling Joel Piroe? Fans got their wish last game in a way as he basically transformed into Partick Bamford. Lots of very good stuff but couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo.

So is it time for the low on confidence Dutch striker to be given a break and Bamford or Joseph to return?

[Chilli D]

I saw this morning the Oxford have lost key defender Ciaron Brown for the rest of the season due to injury.

[The Subhuman]

Fairly simple 11 this time

Unchanged.

[Sean_Nile]

What is the wisdom of the crowd at oxford?

[Sean_Nile]

What is the wisdom of the crowd at oxford?
IMG_20250415_155946.jpg

3 Draws
5 losses
2 wins

Not very confident of victory

[mentalcase]

We have more than enough in us to win on Friday, don't care how, a scruffy 0-1 with the help of either offside (due one of them) or a penalty (bamford) will do the trick nicely, 0-2 or 0-3 will be much better like.

[mentalcase]

I also expect Oxford to bomb inhigh balls, they have another long throw specialist in their team, we must prepare for this prior.
An early goal for us might make them attack, but theyr'e not out the danger zone yet so will be playing things tight, Rowett will have done his homework on us so expect another tough clogging encounter, hold our nerve and play to our strengths, we win.

[1964white]

I saw this morning the Oxford have lost key defender Ciaron Brown for the rest of the season due to injury.

The Os second-highest rated player according to the WhoScored site

Also, second-highest for goals (4) & assists (3).

In fact, 17 of their 43 goals have come from defenders, it would seem Oxford are dangerous at set-pieces.

[1964white]

3 Draws
5 losses
2 wins

Not very confident of victory

I'm expecting that scenario on here.

[Jaydog]

I dont know what all this pessimism is about its only Oxford. We’ve had our “Rory” moment so all is good. Oh hang on he ended up in a play off…

[CUSSIE01]

I dont know what all this pessimism is about its only Oxford. We’ve had our “Rory” moment so all is good. Oh hang on he ended up in a play off…

But won in the end, just hope we don’t end up with our balls in the water.

[Jammy 07]

Trying to work out why many wanted Bamford to start against Preston but now seem happy for Piroe to continue against Oxford.

Why ?

[mentalcase]

Trying to work out why many wanted Bamford to start against Preston but now seem happy for Piroe to continue against Oxford.

Why ?

Yea, why ?
Maybe they realise bamford isn't the answwr after all, or maybe that Farke won't start him either.

[CUSSIE01]

Trying to work out why many wanted Bamford to start against Preston but now seem happy for Piroe to continue against Oxford.

Why ?

Didn’t think Paddy was ever fit enough to start v Preston but he’s done well in both games as sub. Great to have him as an option at this stage of the season and who knows he may score the goals to get us promoted, wouldn’t that be ironic considering the abuse he’s had on here.

[Jammy 07]

Yea, why ?
Maybe they realise bamford isn't the answwr after all, or maybe that Farke won't start him either.

What we saw from Bamford on Saturday was fleeting but his willingness to run in behind stood out.

[mentalcase]

What we saw from Bamford on Saturday was fleeting but his willingness to run in behind stood out.

It did, but both are very different players, neither can so what the other can as well as the other.

[Orange Box]

We have more than enough in us to win on Friday, don't care how, a scruffy 0-1 with the help of either offside (due one of them) or a penalty (bamford) will do the trick nicely, 0-2 or 0-3 will be much better like.

You were doing so well until you put “penalty “ and “ Bamford “ in the same sentence. Shame.

[Jaydog]

But won in the end, just hope we don’t end up with our balls in the water.

Thankfully no water on a football pitch.
Certainly not deep enough for ball immersion anyway

[hector]

Thankfully no water on a football pitch.
Certainly not deep enough for ball immersion anyway

Are you sure???

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[Jaydog]

Are you sure???

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Oh excellent tactics from Oxford.
Flood the pitch knowing we dont like our balls getting wet.
Wheres that bloke with the pipe…